But some say national security can’t justify a take-over. In 2023, the US and Denmark signed a defense agreement that allowed US military personnel and equipment to be stationed in Greenland and continued occupation of Pituffik Space Base. “Taking over Greenland would be like stealing your neighbor’s lawnmower when you could just walk over and borrow it whenever you want,” says Hansen. “Like, he gave you the keys to his house, and you’re really good friends.”
Policy experts also say that while Russia and China are superpowers now, like an insecure man driving massive truck, the truth is they’re living off maxed-out credit cards, failed social relationships, and broken promises. “Look, at this point, Russia couldn’t take a cane from a paraplegic, and with China’s demographic collapse, the child-labor pool for their factories will be nothing in ten years,” says Kieran Hilton, a professor at the University of Wisconsin.
But national defense is not the only reason. The US also sees potential in Greenland’s rare earth minerals, like scandium, neodymium, and kryptonite, which are necessary to build green technology, make electronics, and “defeat a Russian Superman should one arise,” says Senator William Davis (R-Ok).
“The general goal is to exploit somewhere for resources in complete disregard of national sovereignty, NATO, the native population, and tact,” Davis says. “Like the Middle East but colder.”