Because there has been so much discussion lately regarding the importance of Greenland to U.S. national security, I wanted to address the topic.
Greenland is critical to U.S. national security because of its strategic Arctic location wherein it basically acts as a northern shield for North America. This includes housing crucial early-warning missile detection systems and, more broadly, offering a buffer to Chinese and Russian influence.
Greenland also provides for monitoring of the GIUK Gap, protects key shipping routes, and provides access to rare earth minerals, which are critical for technological and defense applications that are currently dominated by Chinese production. The GIUK Gap (Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom) is a maritime bottleneck in the North Atlantic, with Greenland as its Western anchor. It serves as a strategic corridor to monitor and restrict Russian Northern Fleet submarines and ships moving from the Arctic to the Atlantic.
Specifically, the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in northwest Greenland hosts complex radar systems for missile defense, surveillance, and space control, providing early warning for North America against potential missile attacks. Further, because Greenland is located at the intersection of North America, Europe, and the Arctic, Greenland is crucially important for projecting power and controlling key air and sea routes, including Arctic shipping lanes.
The Monroe Doctrine again plays a role here: with growing Arctic competition, the U.S. should seek to prevent China and Russia from establishing a beachhead, which could threaten the security of North America.
Greenland has a population of approximately 56,000–57,000 people. The population is primarily Inuit (roughly 89% Greenlandic Inuit/Kalaallit), with about 7–11% of residents being of Danish or other European descent. The population is stable with low growth and urban. The capital, Nuuk, has over 19,000 residents, representing about 35% of the total population. Greenlandic is the official language, with Danish and English also widely used. Evangelical Lutheran, with traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs, are a prominent part of the religious tradition.
The country, heavily influenced by the Arctic environment, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, featuring a socially liberal if heavily taxed (personal income tax rates up to 44%) society with free education and healthcare.
I note that “after the German invasion of Denmark in 1940, the U.S. quickly deployed forces to protect Greenland from Nazi Germany. Since then, the U.S. has maintained a military presence on the island. In 1946, the U.S. tried, unsuccessfully, to buy the entire island from Denmark for $100 million. The U.S. was, however, granted long-term access to important military sites. (L. Coffey, The Heritage Foundation, May 3, 2019). The Heritage Foundation further observes that, “Greenland is in America’s backyard and a critical part of America’s security architecture. A U.S. consulate would demonstrate that the U.S. takes Greenland at a level of seriousness proportionate to its role in America’s security.”
In addition, “the Arctic region is becoming increasingly important for the U.S. It is only a matter of time before China opens a consulate in Greenland. Other Nordic countries already have expressed an interest in doing so. The U.S. should not be left behind.” In fact, “it’s also only a matter of time before Greenland becomes independent, so the U.S. should establish a diplomatic presence now. It would give the U.S. government a depth of situational awareness not possible without a consulate.” (The Heritage Foundation.)
However, to state the military and strategic importance of Greenland is to overlook its economic importance. Control over Arctic access will likely dictate global trade for decades. Allowing Russia or China to set the terms of Arctic commerce would be a grave error with harsh consequences.
Further, according to the New York Times, the Trump Framework for Greenland includes a ‘sovereignty’ agreement to enhance US and NATO security that would give the United States greater control over the land than it currently exerts over U.S. embassy sites, and other critical pockets of new territory. ‘Mr. Trump … has said that territory in Greenland could prove important for his plans to build a Golden Dome missile defense system for the United States, which could include components stationed in Greenland.’’
However it plays out, the U.S. cannot afford indecision or inaction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated several times that the United States seeks to purchase Greenland through negotiation, not force. Rubio envisions a peaceful territorial transfer, conducted in an open and transparent manner and in a way that benefits both countries. That is simply great diplomacy. The U.S. should take action now.
Shreveport attorney, Royal Alexander, worked in D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 8 years for two different Members of Congress from Louisiana.