Greenland the most remote Place on Earth is in the news. As the saying goes, when you have seen the world, there is always Greenland. Well, President Trump has certainly seen the world And now there is Greenland !. Erik the Red, Norse Explorer during his exile 982 AD discovered it, leading to the first European Nordic settlement. Incidentally President Trumps second son from marriage with Ivanka is also named Eric Trump. Even without historical linkage the symbolic affinity is present. Now President Trump has rediscovered Greenland for a variety of reasons. It is Not a whimsical claim but based on institutionalized American National Security interests.
Main Imperatives
President Trumps quest to acquire the biggest, mostly frozen, inhospitable island which is not even Green has three Main Catalysts. Nuuk the Greenland Capital holds 4.4 trillion dollars worth of mineral wealth in its vast geography.
Firstly New Global Order-Disorder
The Post World War 2 Global order is changing. The USA remains the leading global power, but feels challenged by Russia China combine. The widening Gulf between USA and EU World views and American First policy creates more faultlines for both. The Rise of Middle Powers, the dispersal of global wealth and power, threat to US dollar Monopoly, Challenged by BRICS, Global South, Super Tech AI Race and the Return of Geopolitics.
Many Americans feel, Empire must strike back !
The US National Security Strategy 2026 makes clear of US dominance in Western Hemisphere, means all of Americas. This may start with Greenland and stretch South till Drakes Passage, which is the crossing between South America and Antarctica. Hence from the Arctic to the Antarctica, the Monroe Doctrine Plus will prevail.
Greenland and Arctic Melting
Secondly Greenland and Arctic historically, economically, geographically and geopolitically influence each other. With Arctic ice melting, new ocean , shipping lanes are created. President Putin with geopolitical, geo-economics foresight has militarized and developed Northern Russia facing the Arctic.It is the emerging Arctic power-Polar power. A point highlighted in my book “Geopolitik Pakistan” Published 2013, of geopolitical effects of Arctic melting.
In fact China is also a near Arctic power. The next great ocean control and battle space is the Arctic. A ship from China’s Shanghai or a Russian ship from Vladivostok can reach over the Arctic route in fact much earlier, cheaper then those going from Malacca States, Indian Ocean, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, Gibraltar on to Europe and Atlantic.
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Real Estate Continent
This could be the biggest real estate deal, which President Trump could gain ever. The American view is that 57,000 Inuit Greenlanders are American origin, not Nordic and would be better off as Americans. Still the Greenlanders so for view the idea disdainful. The EU, more so Nordic Danes consider it repulsive , antagonistic.
The Americans cite 1803 Louisiana Deal with Napoleon of dollar 15 million , doubling the size of early US. Later Alaska Purchase from Russia Czar of 1867 at $7.2 million deal. Of course in democratic USA there are many voices. Some Democrats may show apathy while some Republicans may be lukewarm to this deal.
National Security
When it come to National Security most Americans unite and rally around the flag. The US National Security demands Greenland as President Trump says. During World War Two when Denmark was conquered by Hitler, Greenland was secured by US Military. Later the 1951 defense agreement ensured US Air Base, radars, military bases in Greenland. In case of World War Three or World War Four scenarios nuclear missiles and attacks will come over the Arctic, from Russia with Greenland front stage. The case for America in Greenland is strong from its National Security point of view.
China is militarily not involved in Arctic. It is rising peacefully anyway. Polar Silk route is China’s geoeconomics focus. It has already invested in Greenland Projects as elsewhere in the World. Russia is more focused on securing its rights as Moscow claims in Ukraine. Russia as a Polar State hopes to enjoy a economic bonanza from Arctic melting. Already sails the biggest fleet of icebreakers in the World.
Greenland and Danish European Posture
Greenland become part of Denmark in 1721, achieved home rule in 1979 and self rule in 2009. Still Greenland is part of Denmark. In a rule based World Order this cannot be wished away. Of course EU supports Denmark. UK has taken a principled stance in support of Denmark, even while maintaining its traditional Trans Atlantic bond with USA. Germany, France and other European Powers support Denmark in varying degrees. EU, Canada and others maintain the moral high ground by supporting Denmark and Greenlanders.
Still a European Military Response is no solution to American Military Might. A US- European conflict would end NATO for good. By the same token blatant military occupation, could be replaced by deft, diplomatic parleys between USA, Denmark, EU even Canada.
If President Trump is still determined to get Greenland he will, as he says !.
Yet like the Samurai Warriors of Japan never used the long sword, If the short sword sufficed.
Despite his endavours for Global Peace, President Trump was denied the Noble Peace Prize. It appears his amity for Nordic Nations has somewhat reduced.
President Trump is still after all master of the art of the deal.
Winning over the Greenlanders and placating good hearted Danes and Europeans may be the Real Deal !.
Brigadier Nadir Mir (R), SI (M),
ndc, afwc, fsc (T), psc, qsl, AC is a graduate of Armour School, Fort Knox USA, Army Staff College Quetta, Turkish War Academy Istanbul, War College and National Defence College Islamabad.
He is a Soldier, Scholar, Reformer.
A Defence Analyst Cleared by ISPR.
Geopolitics is His Forte.
Author of Books:
Gwadar on The Global Chessboard (Introduced Geo Economics in Pakistan).
Geopolitik Pakistan (Geostrategy For Pakistan).
Besides Writing Articles,Talks in Seminars, Universites and Tv Analysis are Contributions at Home and Abroad.
Brigadier Nadir During Service Served in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Military Deputation.
His Passion For Military History, Global Travelling, Diverse interactions all Blend To Create A Geopolitical Mindset.
Brigadier Nadir Mir is Known For His Pro Active Views on National Security.
In His Analysis Pakistan Internal Security and External Security Demand New Geopolitical Thinking.
