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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TikTok Ban: The Saga of National Security, Presidential Reversals, and the Global Head-Scratching

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Jan 20, 2025
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In a plot twist that no one saw coming—except, perhaps, for the millions of TikTok users who were frantically downloading their dance videos—the fate of the app has become a headline grabber yet again. The U.S. government’s rollercoaster ride with TikTok, which began with calls for a ban and ended with the app miraculously staying put, has left the world scratching its collective head. Meanwhile, in the UK, the situation has unfolded like an M. Night Shyamalan movie—Just with more drama and more plot twists.

The Origins of the TikTok Ban:

The saga started in 2020 when former President Donald Trump, after spending what can only be described as a little too much time on TikTok, decided that the app was a national security threat. His reasoning? The app’s parent company, ByteDance, was based in China. And we all know that if something is from China, it must be collecting our data and spying on us, right? Meanwhile, in the UK, where TikTok had long been a safe haven for viral dance routines and awkward family moments, the idea of banning the app seemed about as ridiculous as banning the weather.

In the U.S., Trump’s executive order to ban TikTok had a slightly absurd air to it. The irony of a government that collects vast amounts of personal data on its citizens suddenly calling out an app for doing the same was not lost on anyone. Meanwhile, in the UK, the reaction was more of a bemused shrug. “Really? You’re going to ban TikTok? The one thing keeping us from the abyss of ennui during lockdown?” people wondered.

The Great TikTok Exodus:

As the TikTok ban loomed, Americans began scrambling to save their content. Millions of users hit the “download” button faster than a squirrel on an espresso binge. They preserved everything from their most awkward dance moves to their deepest philosophical thoughts on avocado toast. But this wasn’t just about saving videos—no, some TikTok faithful had bigger plans.

While a few decided to take refuge in RedNote, a lesser-known Chinese social media app that allows short-form video sharing, most others made the leap to platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and even Triller. RedNote, although similar to TikTok, is often seen as the slightly awkward sibling in the world of short-form video apps. While it does offer a similar experience, it’s like settling for a knockoff handbag when you had your heart set on a designer piece. It’s functional, but let’s just say it doesn’t have the same flair as its more popular counterparts.

Trump’s Role in the Unbanning:

Fast forward to January 2025, and in a stunning reversal, Trump—who was once all but shouting, “Ban it! Ban it!” from the rooftops—was now advocating for a deal that would allow TikTok to stay in the U.S. But only if the government got a 50% stake. It was like watching your parents who once said they’d throw away your phone now saying, “Okay, you can keep it, but only if you let us have a say in how often you scroll through cat videos.”

This sudden change of heart left many scratching their heads. The man who vowed to shut down TikTok now wanted a partnership. What happened to the hardline stance? Was he just trying to save face? Or maybe he realized that TikTok’s dance challenges were far more entertaining than his press conferences?

The Global Perspective (or How the Rest of the World Reacted):

While the U.S. was busy fighting over whether or not to ban a video-sharing app, the rest of the world looked on in a mix of confusion and amusement. In the UK, where TikTok had become the unofficial national pastime, the whole ordeal was seen as one long-running political farce. “So, they’re banning the app, then unbanning it? What next, are they going to bring back MySpace too?” said one bewildered Londoner, while simultaneously scrolling through TikTok for the latest viral recipe video.

Across Europe and Asia, countries watched in a mix of disbelief and schadenfreude. Some European officials mused, “Ah, the Americans. They’ve spent so much time arguing about an app that they forgot to fix their real problems. But at least they’re distracted. Meanwhile, we’ll be over here… still watching TikTok, thanks.”

One particularly amusing comment came from The Guardian, which called the situation "an absurd spectacle" with lawmakers "spending more time on TikTok’s fate than on fixing anything else," which, as we all know, is the perfect description of the circus that surrounded the debate.

The Future of TikTok:

So, what does the future hold for TikTok now that it’s miraculously still around? Will it become a government-owned app, like a digital version of a public utility? Will Trump’s 50/50 idea actually happen, or is this just another headline waiting to be replaced by something more ridiculous—like the return of Vine?

In the UK, TikTok fans are clinging to the hope that the app will remain untouched. After all, in a world where the government can’t even agree on how to make a cup of tea, the idea of banning an app that provides endless amusement seems a little trivial. Besides, who else is going to keep us entertained during the next round of lockdowns? Certainly not RedNote.

And the Beat Goes On: TikTok’s Unexpected Survival:

In the end, the TikTok saga is less about national security and more about a cultural clash. It’s a story of power, influence, and control, with a side of viral dance moves. While U.S. lawmakers bicker over the future of TikTok, the rest of the world—particularly in the UK—is left wondering if this whole episode is just a metaphor for modern digital life: chaotic, unpredictable, and dominated by short attention spans. Whether TikTok stays or goes, one thing is clear: the world has learned a valuable lesson. And that lesson is… well, who cares? We’re already back on TikTok watching someone teach us how to make a pancake shaped like a cat.