Why Greenland Matters to the United States, and Why Some People Are Sceptical

8 January 2026

Paul Francis

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Greenland has become an increasingly prominent part of global geopolitical discussion, particularly in relation to the United States. On the surface, the interest can appear puzzling. Greenland has a small population, harsh conditions, and limited infrastructure. Yet for Washington, it represents one of the most strategically significant territories in the world.

Snow-covered mountains and rocky peaks rise above a deep blue sea, under a clear sky, creating a serene and majestic landscape.

At the same time, recent events elsewhere have led many observers to question whether security alone explains American interest in regions rich in natural resources. Greenland now sits at the intersection of strategic necessity and public scepticism.

Greenland’s strategic importance to US security

The primary and most consistently stated reason for US interest in Greenland is security.

Greenland occupies a crucial geographic position between North America and Europe. It sits along the shortest route for ballistic missiles travelling between Russia and the United States. This makes it essential for early warning systems and missile defence.

The US has maintained a military presence in Greenland since the Second World War. Today, Pituffik Space Base plays a key role in monitoring missile launches, tracking satellites, and supporting NATO defence architecture. These systems are designed to protect not only the United States but also its allies.

As Arctic ice continues to melt, the region is becoming more accessible to military and commercial activity. Russia has expanded its Arctic bases, and China has declared itself a near-Arctic state. From Washington’s perspective, maintaining influence in Greenland helps prevent rivals from gaining a foothold in a region that directly affects North Atlantic security.

The Arctic, climate change, and future competition

Climate change has transformed Greenland’s relevance. What was once largely inaccessible is now opening up.

New shipping routes could shorten trade paths between Asia, Europe, and North America. Scientific research, undersea cables, and surveillance infrastructure are all becoming more viable. Greenland’s location places it at the centre of these emerging routes.

For the United States, this makes Greenland less of a remote territory and more of a forward position in an increasingly contested region.

Red Mobil barrel secured with ropes on wood structure, against a cloudy sky. Blue pipes and rusty metal bar in background.

Oil and resource speculation as a secondary factor

While security dominates official policy discussions, resource speculation is often raised as an additional reason for interest in Greenland.

Greenland is believed to hold potential offshore oil and gas reserves, as well as deposits of rare earth elements, lithium, graphite, and other critical minerals. These materials are essential for electronics, renewable energy systems, and defence technologies.

It is important to note that Greenland currently restricts new oil and gas exploration licences, largely due to environmental concerns. Large-scale extraction remains difficult, expensive, and politically sensitive.

For the United States, oil is not a strategic necessity in Greenland. The country is already one of the world’s largest oil producers. However, critical minerals are a longer-term concern. The US remains heavily dependent on foreign supply chains, particularly from China, for many of these materials.

This makes Greenland attractive as a potential future partner rather than an immediate resource solution.

Why scepticism exists

Despite official explanations, scepticism persists, and not without reason.

In recent years, the United States has taken highly visible actions elsewhere that involved control over oil production and transport. These actions have reinforced a long-standing public perception that resource interests sometimes sit beneath security justifications.

The Iraq War remains a powerful reference point. Although the official rationale focused on weapons and security threats, the protection and control of oil fields became a defining feature of the conflict in the public imagination. That perception continues to shape how many people interpret US foreign policy today.

More recently, actions involving sanctions, tanker seizures, and control of oil revenues in other regions have revived these concerns. When military or economic pressure coincides with resource-rich territories, scepticism follows.

Against this backdrop, even legitimate security interests can be viewed through a lens of historical mistrust.

Greenland is not Iraq, but history shapes perception

Greenland differs significantly from past conflict zones. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO ally. The United States does not dispute Danish sovereignty and has repeatedly stated that Greenland’s future must be decided by its people.

US engagement in Greenland has focused on diplomacy, scientific cooperation, and defence partnerships rather than intervention. There has been no military conflict, no occupation, and no attempt to forcibly extract resources.

However, history matters. Public opinion is shaped not only by current actions but by patterns over time. When people see strategic interest combined with resource potential, they naturally draw comparisons.

Denmark’s role as a stabilising factor

Denmark plays a crucial role in shaping how Greenland is engaged internationally. As the sovereign state responsible for defence and foreign policy, Denmark ensures that US involvement occurs within established legal and diplomatic frameworks.

This partnership reduces the likelihood of unilateral action and helps keep Greenland’s development aligned with environmental standards and local governance.

The broader reality

Greenland’s importance to the United States is real, and it is primarily rooted in geography and defence. Resource speculation exists, but it is not the driving force behind current policy.

At the same time, scepticism is understandable. History has taught many people to question official narratives when strategic interests and natural resources overlap.

The truth lies in the tension between these two realities. Greenland matters because of where it is, what it enables, and what it may one day provide. How it is treated will determine whether it becomes a model of cooperation or another chapter in a long story of mistrust.

Greenland is not a prize to be taken, but a partner to be engaged. Whether that distinction holds in the long term will depend not just on policy statements, but on actions.

In a world shaped by climate change, great power competition, and historical memory, even legitimate interests must contend with the weight of the past.

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The Cost of Living Crisis: How We Can Fight Back

Toby Patrick
Oct 9, 2025
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With costs soaring, homeowners are facing a difficult challenge as they have to fork out more money to cover all the expenses. This covers several different aspects of the cost-of-living crisis, all of which are setting people back. Housing, food and healthcare are just some of the things that play their part in this rise, with the biggest cost increases coming from gas and energy bills in the home. These are becoming increasingly difficult to afford, especially for single income families who only have one parent earning money.

Woman in white shirt, stressed, holds head at desk with bills, receipts, calculator, and money. Bright room with plants in background.

While it might sometimes seem like there’s no end in sight for these cost-of-living increases, there are things that we can do to reduce their impact on our daily lives. This guide will explore how we can fight back against the cost-of-living crisis with better budgeting and lifestyle adjustments, so you no longer need to stress about your outgoings. Continue reading to find out more.

What’s Fueling The Crisis?

There’s been a lot of economical pressure that has left homeowners scrambling for cash to pay for all their expenses. Inflation has been a big factor, and while wages have remained largely stagnant, there has been an ongoing failure to keep pace with the rising price of essentials.

Housing shortages in urban centers are driving rent and home prices to record highs, which has made good housing options unaffordable for many families. Even when a family gets a home, they are bombarded with rising energy bills that get more expensive every year. Meanwhile, there are also supply chain disruptions that are keeping the cost of goods high and making food, drinks and other necessities very pricey.

It’s not just one variable that has caused this crisis, as it’s a combination of many things that has made affording a good quality of life quite difficult.

How can we fight back?

Budgeting

If you budget effectively, you can save a lot of money and fight back against the cost-of-living crisis. Start by tracking the money you earn and spend. You can then break your expenses into categories like housing, food, transport and savings to identify areas where even small cuts can add up. The 50/30/20 rule can be used to help you with this, which involves splitting your earnings so that it’s 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Lifestyle adjustments can help you gain control during a cost of living crisis. Minimalism adds value to your life by cutting out the rest, so you won’t be forking out for expensive furniture. That might mean owning fewer clothes, avoiding impulse purchases, or choosing experiences over things. Downsizing can also drastically reduce monthly expenses and can be very beneficial for families who don’t need too much space. Shifting toward a simpler way of living, individuals can stretch their income further and build resilience in uncertain economic times.

Effective Home Design

The way your home is designed can directly impact the amount you pay for bills. Features like proper insulation, natural lighting and energy-efficient appliances cut utility costs month after month. Allowing more natural light into your home means that you don’t need lightbulbs switched on all the time. Blind in Watford by Blind Technique are designed to help you control how much light comes into your home.

Community Resources

If you’re in a low-income household, don’t feel ashamed to use community resources to help you through difficult times. Food banks can be a great choice for families who can’t afford a lot of food, and there will be other families using them too, so you shouldn’t put it off. You can also choose to live in shared housing if you’re an individual, as you can then split all the rent and bills to make life more affordable.

What Can Communities Do?

It’s not just about what you can do as an individual, as communities can band together to help each other out with rising costs. Here are some things that communities should consider:

Support Local Food Initiatives:

Encourage local donation, redistribution of essentials and the creation of shared spaces for residents to grow their own produce.

Push for Affordable Housing Projects:

Promote community-backed programs that help renters eventually become homeowners.

Promote Financial Education:

Learning more about how to manage money can help with saving properly during a cost-of-living crisis.

Local Action Group Advocacy:

Push local governments to adopt fair wage policies, cap property taxes or invest in public services.

The cost of living is impacting everyone, whether you’re living alone or as a family. It’s not all gloom and doom though, as there’s things that you can do to combat the cost of living crisis and live a fulfilling life despite all the rising prices. Making a few lifestyle tweaks can make such a big difference and minimise any expenditure. You can also get all the community together to support one another, as this can benefit plenty of families.