the United States must own it to prevent Russia or China from occupying it.
Or, you know, Europe could own it to prevent Russia, China AND the US from occupying it?
this post was submitted on 15 Jan 2026
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Can someone more informed than me explain why it's in contention for being occupied by any nation in the first place?
@vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works is right. This isn't about arctic security or deterrence at all. The US military already has unlimited access to the whole island and its airspace. The only reason Trump wants it to be a part of the US is because he is a manbaby and the grown-ups have all told him he can't have it.
Trump also thinks it's 50x larger than it really is because of map projection effects.
It's really big though; it's the largest island and one fifth the size of the usa, and the twelfth largest country.
Trump is stupid and wants it and MAGA wants to restart manifest destiny.
Oh wait, I see I haven't answered your question. The land has strategic value because it sits between Russia and North America. During the Cold War in particular, it was a good place to put early warning radar to detect nuclear launches. Now, for example, the waters around the island are patrolled for Russian submarines and stuff. And as the Arctic Ocean's surface ice thaws, there are valuable trade routes there that different states want to control. And there might be some fancy minerals on the island itself.
Because of its strategic geographic location as the land ice melts, and all the untapped resources under that ice, AND the fact that in 300 years, it will likely be prime real estate.
there is already a US military base in greenland
This is both frustratingly symbolic and meaningfully symbolic. More would be better. But even a single soldier is a serious and important symbol of commitment and literal “skin in the game”.
Denmark sent a group to prepare the logistics for larger troops deployments, so Greenland probably can't support much more troops right now. I assume the immediate goal is to have troops of as many countries as possible in the ground, and increase the numbers later.
I think the number of nations represented there is more important than the number of soldiers.
I don't know what military operation Trump has in mind, but even his most aggressive war mongers would hesitate to attack representatives from all of the NATO countries at once.
Why do you need to take control over an ally's territory? The US already has a shot of pretecting Greenland from China or Russia occupying it, because it will be essentially attack on Denmark which is a NATO member.
If there is still anyone out there that believes that the orange turd wants Greenland for security reasons, they must have some negative IQ.
Now, those minerals mentioned... They are another story. That will be for the financial security of Trump's family and friends.
Is not like Europe could grant protection from a USA all-out military action, but it must grant that such attempt must have reasonable consequences, from not making it a free looting or make it dissuasori in cost for USA due to the losses with Europe to not dilapidate European resources (Orange's words are worthless, only actions should matter), then it will be their call.
With t at the helm — WWIII here we go!