Greenland: A Question of Global Credibility
Greenland, often described as the world’s largest island, has quietly transformed into one of the most dangerous chessboards of modern global politics. Beneath its seemingly calm sheet of ice, secrets may lie that could destabilize the entire world.
Is former U.S. President Donald Trump’s insistence on acquiring Greenland merely the obsession of a real-estate businessman, or does it conceal a calculated strategy linked to a $500 trillion resource treasure and future global dominance?
Project Iceworm: A Dark Cold War Secret
In the 1960s, the United States secretly launched Project Iceworm in Greenland. The plan involved constructing nearly 4,000 kilometers of tunnels beneath the ice and deploying 600 nuclear missiles close to the Soviet Union. The idea was to strike so swiftly that the enemy would have no time to react.
Nature, however, defeated this atomic ambition. Rapid glacier movement made the project impossible, forcing the U.S. to abandon it. What remains buried beneath the ice today is radioactive waste and nuclear material. As global warming accelerates ice melt, this toxic legacy risks entering the oceans.
This raises a troubling question: does Trump want Greenland to bury evidence of past nuclear crimes, or to prepare for future wars?
The $500 Trillion Treasure and the China Factor
Greenland is no longer famous only for ice—it is now known for its vast reserves of rare earth minerals, often called “white gold.” These minerals are essential for smartphones, renewable energy systems, and advanced military technology like the F-35 fighter jet.
Currently, China dominates the global rare earth market and is attempting to expand its influence through the Polar Silk Road. This has triggered what experts describe as a coming resource war. The U.S. administration believes that controlling Greenland’s mines is crucial for future technological supremacy.
Trump’s Aggressive Strategy and Diplomatic Shockwaves
Donald Trump has shown little interest in diplomatic norms regarding Greenland. Reports suggest the U.S. considered offering Greenland’s citizens $10,000 to $100,000 each—a direct attempt to buy public support.
Trump’s controversial letter to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas created a political earthquake. He openly challenged Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, implying that historical presence justified American ownership. This approach signaled a shift from diplomacy to raw power politics.
Local Resistance: “We Are Not for Sale”
Greenland’s people have firmly rejected U.S. overtures. Senior Greenlandic leader Tilly Martinsen stated that they do not wish to become wealthy at the cost of dignity and culture.
She warned that the U.S. had already displaced indigenous populations in Alaska and expressed fears that Inuit rights could be threatened under American control.
NATO, Trump, and the GIUK Gap
One of the most serious implications involves NATO unity. Trump has accused Denmark of failing to counter Russian threats, declaring that it was time for decisive action.
Strategically, the GIUK Gap—Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom— is a narrow but critical maritime corridor connecting the North Atlantic to the rest of the world. It is often described by military strategists as “the throat of the world.”
Over 90% of global internet data travels through undersea cables passing this route. Any hostile control over Greenland could disrupt global digital communication and threaten U.S. and allied security.
Fortune or Destruction?
Greenland today stands at a crossroads. Will its resources become a blessing for humanity, or will great-power rivalry, nuclear legacies, and strategic greed turn it into a catalyst for global conflict?
With American aggression, China’s silent expansion, and Greenlanders fighting to preserve their identity, the coming years will determine whether Greenland becomes a center of global cooperation—or the battlefield of the next great power struggle.