Why Greenland Matters Now: For decades, Greenland was seen as remote and frozen. That reality is gone. Melting ice is opening direct shipping lanes between Europe, Asia, and North America, and Greenland sits at the gateway. Whoever controls Greenland controls access to the Arctic’s trade routes, resources, and military corridors.

The island also holds vast reserves of rare earth minerals—essential for advanced technology, defense systems, and renewable energy. As global competition intensifies, the U.S., China, and Russia all recognize that Arctic dominance will shape economic and military power for decades to come.

The Military Equation The Arctic is no longer a backwater. Russia has expanded its northern military infrastructure, including nuclear-capable assets. China, under the banner of research and investment, has pursued mining and strategic footholds across the region. Without firm U.S. control of Greenland, America’s northern defenses remain exposed.