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 Return on Investment Of Working From Home

Toby Patrick
Sep 23, 2025
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It seems that everyone wants to work from home these days. Whether companies are offering fully remote working from anywhere in the world or opting for more of a hybrid approach, leaders are certainly catering to this preference too. But is this a shift that’s driven simply by a desire to please employees, or is it actually a profitable decision? In this article, we’re dissecting the ROI of allowing staff to work remotely.

Sunlit desk with a laptop showing a document, potted plant, phone, and water bottle by a window with a view of buildings and a church.

Staff Morale

The most obvious benefit of allowing your workforce to work from home is increased staff morale. Staff who work remotely report a more positive work-life balance thanks to the time saved on commuting and being able to lean on home comforts.

As you’d expect, happier staff are less likely to look for a new job, meaning work from home is likely to lead to higher levels of staff retention. While this may not directly lead to lower costs, it is worth considering the financial costs that come with hiring and training new members of staff. There’s also the loss in time and productivity that comes with waiting for a new employee to get up to speed with a new position.

Talent Pool

If you are trying to fill a remote role, you have the benefit of being able to hire staff from all over the country, if not the world. Obviously, this should provide you with a wider pool of talent to choose from.

When demand is high for a role, the hiring company generally doesn’t need to offer as high a salary, which would directly lower costs. Similarly, a wider talent pool should lead to a higher quality of staff, which should have a positive impact on business productivity, subsequently raising the ROI of working from home.

Productivity

Productivity can go one of two ways when allowing staff to work remotely. However, most staff report being more productive when working from home. It may differ depending on your industry or line of work, but generally speaking, a more productive team should have a direct impact on sales, revenue, leads, etc.

Consider a sales executive who is judged based on how many potential leads they can reach out to in a day. A more productive working environment may mean they’re able to reach 100 leads a day compared to 75 when working from an office. Assuming the conversion rate isn’t impacted, the business will benefit in terms of revenue from this more productive member of staff.

Office Maintenance

It goes without saying that there are costs of running an office, and this is something that will directly be impacted by a shift to a remote team. From office supplies to lift maintenance, there’s a whole host of costs that will instantly be removed from your balance sheet.

On the flip side, it is worth considering if any of this money will need to be spent on accommodating staff working remotely. For example, some staff may need you to provide laptops or computers, although this is not a legal requirement.

Final Thoughts

For most businesses, moving to remote working should be a profitable change. However, the right solution will differ from one business to the next. It’s also worth considering the other side of the argument; old-school leaders may stress the importance of physical interaction for the positive impact it can have on team culture, teamwork, and people skills.