Greenland in Play !

In 982, the Island that was to become known as Greenland was discovered by the Norwegian Erik the Red. Later in 986, he established a small colony made up of Scandinavians. The settlers died out between the 14th and 15th centuries. Later in 1721, the joint Kingdoms of Denmark-Norway re-established sovereignty over the territory, and the rest is history, as they say.

Today, Greenland finds itself at the centre of geopolitics as a strategic goldmine in the Northern Hemisphere, a potential lynchpin in America’s future prosperity, and a key to defending the North American continent.

Thus, President Donald J. Trump’s obsession with obtaining sovereignty over Greenland from its historical ruler, Denmark.

Now here is the rub: the necessities of strategic security modify the principle that the hand of a country whose existence is threatened is not stayed by the rules of war. Trump is telling the Danes and the international community that the United States must, if forced, violate Danish territorial sovereignty.

Should America fail to secure its position in the Arctic Circle, the repercussions would be devastating for the U.S. going forward. Leaving the way open for a Russian-Chinese intervention that would threaten the West as a whole. It’s hoped that Denmark and the United States will reach a satisfactory understanding of Greenland’s strategic importance to the West’s future security, let alone survival.