Why is the US interested in acquiring Greenland?

The US interest is multifaceted, driven by: Strategic Location: Its position at the crossroads of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans is vital for military presence and monitoring Russia. Military Assets: It hosts the Pituffik Space Base, a critical component for missile defense and space surveillance. Economic Resources: Greenland has vast, untapped reserves of rare earth elements (REEs), oil, natural gas, and other minerals. Geopolitical Competition: Acquiring it would be a strategic move to counter the growing influence of Russia and China in the resource-rich Arctic region.

Why Trump Wants Greenland? Explained: UPSC Current Affairs

Description

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Picture Courtesy: INDIATODAY

Context

Recent expressions of interest by the United States in acquiring Greenland highlight the island's rising strategic importance.

What is Greenland?

Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat) is the world's largest non-continental island, located between the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans.

While geographically part of the North American continent, it is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Approximately 80% of the island is covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet, the second largest in the world after Antarctica.

Why Greenland Is Strategically Important?

Greenland's value is due to its geographic location at the nexus of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, which is critical for military power projection, trade, and regional control.

Forward Military Presence: The U.S. operates the Pituffik Space Base, a vital NATO installation that provides a strategic foothold in the Arctic.

Missile Defense & Space Surveillance: The base houses advanced radar systems for the U.S. Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS), monitoring missile flight paths over the polar routes.

Control of New Sea Routes: As climate change opens up the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route, control over Greenland offers influence over these shorter emerging maritime corridors.

Natural Resources: Greenland holds immense, largely untapped natural resources, making it a focal point for economic competition.

Rare Earth Elements (REEs): The island holds one of the world's largest undeveloped REE deposits, vital for technology and defense, which is crucial for diversifying supply chains away from China's dominance.
Hydrocarbons and Other Minerals: Melting ice is revealing significant, accessible reserves of oil, natural gas, uranium, zinc, copper, and iron ore.

Geopolitical Competition: U.S. interest is a response to the growing military and economic activities of Russia and China in the Arctic.

Countering Russia: Russia is expanding its military presence by reopening Soviet-era bases and deploying advanced air-defense systems and icebreakers.
Countering China: China is pursuing its "Polar Silk Road" initiative through investments in infrastructure.

Response from Denmark and Greenland

The idea of a sale has been rejected. Greenlandic officials are focused on greater self-determination and eventual independence, not changing sovereign powers. Public opinion also opposes any sale.

Source: INDIATODAY

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. "The aggressive pursuit of territorial acquisition by the US challenges the foundational principles of NATO and European security." Discuss. 150 words

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The US interest is multifaceted, driven by:

Strategic Location: Its position at the crossroads of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans is vital for military presence and monitoring Russia.
Military Assets: It hosts the Pituffik Space Base, a critical component for missile defense and space surveillance.
Economic Resources: Greenland has vast, untapped reserves of rare earth elements (REEs), oil, natural gas, and other minerals.
Geopolitical Competition: Acquiring it would be a strategic move to counter the growing influence of Russia and China in the resource-rich Arctic region.

Formerly Thule Air Base, Pituffik Space Base is the northernmost U.S. military installation. Its strategic importance lies in its role in the U.S. ballistic missile early warning system and as a key site for space surveillance, tracking objects over the polar region.

Greenland is estimated to hold the world's largest deposits of rare-earth elements (REEs) outside of China. These elements are critical for manufacturing high-tech products like smartphones, electric vehicles, and advanced defense systems. It also has significant potential reserves of oil, natural gas, uranium, and zinc.