Greenland: A Strategic Opportunity?

This—an icy wilderness bursting with natural treasures, and it might be a goldmine for the U. S. That’s what James Stavridis, a former NATO boss, believes about Greenland. He doesn’t think President-elect Trump’s idea of focusing on Greenland is absurd. In fact, Stavridis thinks it could be a smart move to safeguard U. S. interests. In an interview, Stavridis talked about why Greenland is so important. It’s right at the top of the North Atlantic, protecting paths to the U. S. Plus, it’s loaded with valuable minerals, possibly lots of gold, and other natural resources. He suggests that instead of making Greenland the 51st state, the U. S. could focus on building strong economic ties.Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Egede, recently made it clear that Greenland isn’t up for sale. But he did say that they are open for business. Stavridis thinks the U. S. should take this opportunity seriously. Trump recently expressed interest in the U. S. acquiring Greenland, the largest island in the world. Egede responded by stating that Greenland belongs to its people and they don’t want to be Danish or American. Yet, he's willing to talk with Trump. This isn't just about economics. Stavridis believes focusing on Greenland can help keep other countries, like Russia and China, at bay. It’s a strategic play that could benefit both the U. S. and Greenland.