Author: Elizabeth Buchanan
_Elizabeth Buchanan_
Reading time: 23 minutes
Synopsis
So You Want to Own Greenland? (2025) looks at how this big, icy island always gets attention from explorers, powerful countries, and big nations. Greenland’s history is full of surprises. It goes from old Viking homes that disappeared to secret military bases from the Cold War. The book shows how history, world politics, and climate change are all mixing together. This makes Greenland a surprising topic in the news, while the country tries to plan its own future.
What’s in it for me? Find out why Greenland has become an increasingly popular nation for global superpowers.
Greenland is a bit of a puzzle. Many of us might not think much about it, but it is very big. Yes, much of it is covered by rough, icy land. But it has also played a big part in the plans of explorers, powerful countries, church leaders, generals, and presidents. Now, Donald Trump has shown new interest in Greenland. Because of this, Greenland is once again part of a big global story. This story is much bigger than its small number of people might suggest.
In this summary, we will look past the news to understand why Greenland keeps getting attention. We will also see why controlling it has never been easy. This is a story about power, where places are located, laws, climate, and how far people can go with their plans. It is also a story about a people trying to decide their own future while the world watches closely. What follows is a trip through Greenland’s past and present. It will show how one icy island became key to some of the biggest questions in today’s world politics.
Blink 1 – A history of Vikings and Danes
Greenland is the kind of place that takes up a lot of space on a map. It is vast, covered in ice, and easy to see. It stretches between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. Most of its land is far north of the Arctic Circle. Its people call it Kalaallit Nunaat, which means “Country of the Greenlanders.” Greenland is very close to Canada. They were so close that, for many years, Canada and Denmark quietly argued over a tiny, empty rock called Hans Island. This friendly argument was called the Whiskey War. It involved flags, bottles of alcohol, and a lot of diplomatic good humor. By 2022, they solved the problem easily: they split Hans Island in half. This was a rare example of Arctic politics done with a smile.
But how did Denmark come to control Greenland? The story goes back over a thousand years. A Viking named Erik the Red arrived in the late tenth century. He had been sent away from Iceland. He explored west and came back with a clever marketing idea: a name – Greenland – that made it sound like fertile land with many chances. The idea worked. Hundreds of settlers followed him and started two Viking communities in southern Greenland. These communities did well, even though it was difficult. They grew to a few thousand people. They traded walrus ivory and seal skins. For hundreds of years, Greenland was home to the most distant European society in the Middle Ages.
Then, it quietly disappeared. When other Europeans came to check, the farms were empty. Churches were bare, homes were empty. Many ideas came up about what happened. Was it a sickness? A violent fight? Strangely, no signs of sickness, like many graves, were ever found. There were no signs of battle either. Problems with money are another reason. When ivory from African elephants came into markets around the world, Greenland’s trade based on walrus lost its value. The last known trading ship left in the late 1300s. After that, the connection to Europe disappeared.
Climate is another reason. New studies suggest that Greenland became drier over time. Year after year, farming became harder. Bones from Viking burial sites show that their diets changed. They ate less farm animals and more seafood, just like the Inuit people. They were trying to adapt, but it might not have been enough. Whatever happened, by the 1400s, more than two thousand people were no longer part of recorded history.
Now we come to Denmark. In 1721, a church leader named Hans Egede arrived. He really started the effort to colonize Greenland. You can still see the effects of this today. Over time, Greenland went from being a colony to having its own local government. In 2009, it gained self-government. But through all of this, it is still part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Today, it has its own parliament and prime minister, and about 57,000 people live there.
But, as we will see in the next parts, Denmark’s history with Greenland has had its share of political problems.
Blink 2 – Greenland during wartime
Greenland’s current relationship with Denmark is the result of many hundreds of years of history. This history was shaped by people moving, faith, powerful countries, and plans. Long before Europeans came, Inuit people crossed from North America many times. They created ways of life that were perfect for the Arctic. Today’s Greenlanders mostly come from the Thule culture. These people were skilled at traveling and did well in very hard conditions.
Denmark’s actions towards the Inuit people have continued to be criticized and studied. For example, a birth control program led by Denmark in the 1960s and 70s caused deep hurt.
But there have also been international fights over Denmark’s control of Greenland. This was especially true as world power changed in the 1800s and 1900s.
The United States thought about buying Greenland in the 1800s. Norway later brought up old claims related to Erik the Red. It even took over a part of eastern Greenland for a short time in the 1930s. In the end, an international court decided that Denmark was right. It said Denmark had full control over the whole island. In 1953, Greenland formally became part of the Danish state.
But the desire for Greenland to rule itself never went away. In 1979, the Home Rule Act gave Greenland much power over its own matters. This included education, healthcare, fishing, taxes, and looking after the environment. Its political power grew, but so did its money problems. This showed that being independent was hard without being financially strong. The movement grew stronger. In 2008, Greenlanders voted clearly for more self-government. The Self-Government Act of the next year gave them more control over justice, policing, and natural resources. It also formally said that the people of Greenland had the right to choose their own future. Still, this agreement needs Denmark’s approval for any final separation or for any decisions that might affect national security.
This still puts Greenland in a difficult spot, even though its important location is clear.
This was most clear during the Second World War. Greenland’s location made it vital for weather forecasts, moving goods across the Atlantic, and defending the continent. So, when Denmark was taken over by the Nazis, the US quickly moved to take over and secure Greenland. The Danes were not happy about it. But the US set up military bases that stayed after the war. After World War Two, Denmark hoped the American presence would leave. But the US pointed to the new threat from the Soviet Union. Greenland became a big part of Cold War plans. As nuclear weapons increased, the military bases were key for setting up early-warning systems. They also held rockets aimed at Russia.
This uneasy partnership between the US and Greenland became a bit smoother with a new defense agreement in 1951. This agreement said Denmark still had control but gave the US a lot of freedom to use the land. Legal rules quietly allowed Washington to build more. This included the huge, underground base called Camp Century and the planned missile system known as Project Iceworm.
As the Cold War ended and new global rivalries began, Greenland again got a lot of attention. Climate change, the fight for resources, and changing power balances made sure that this island, once thought of as far away, stayed at the center of world events.
Blink 3 – Into the Arctic’s geopolitical soup
After the Cold War, Greenland was again in the world’s spotlight. This time, the pressure came from all the usual issues in modern world politics: competition between powerful nations, worries about resources, climate change, and changing trade routes. All these concerns have brought the island closer to the center of international attention.
News headlines often describe this as a dramatic race for the Arctic. But the truth on the ground has mostly been without conflict. Countries in the Arctic still work together. The nations involved have continued to talk and find solutions more often than they threaten each other.
That doesn’t mean competition has gone away. It has just changed to less obvious forms. Legal tools, rules, and technical standards – and knowing how to understand and use these rules to your advantage – now decide who has power in the Arctic. This is called lawfare. When used well, it lets countries push for their own goals in a more subtle way.
Sea laws play a big part in Arctic lawfare. This is especially true as melting ice opens new ways for ships and new claims to the seabed. For example, Russia has used a strict reading of the law to limit access to an important Arctic shipping route. It said this was for environmental and safety reasons due to ice. In reality, this allows Russia to control passage through waters that many see as international. Russia only gives access after fees are paid and approvals are given.
The lines between science and security have also become blurry. Research tools are also used as military tools. Sonar, satellites, and ships that can break ice are useful for collecting information. But they are also important for military plans.
In this situation, Greenland stands out as a very valuable prize. Its location puts it between North America and Europe. It is close to new Arctic sea routes and on the most direct paths between powerful nations. Its waters have fish, and its land has minerals that are important far beyond the Arctic. Even so, most known resources are in clearly defined economic areas. So far, the rules are being followed, and paperwork is being patiently submitted.
This developing situation involves four main players: the nations that claim Arctic land. These are Canada, Denmark, the US, and Russia. Denmark is in this important group only because of Greenland. This gives Denmark a reason to keep its position.
But worries about resources have brought non-Arctic countries like China into the discussion. This is especially true for important minerals, even though getting them out of the ground is still very expensive. Climate change affects everything. It damages buildings, changes natural areas, and draws new scientific and political interest from far away. We will talk more about this in the next section.
Blink 4 – The ups and downs of independence
While everyone around the world has felt the effects of climate change to some degree, Greenland is in a special place to feel these pressures very strongly. Warmer waters are hurting its fishing and food supply. Melting ice is changing its coastline and affecting how people make a living.
Because of these big changes, Greenland released its first full foreign, security, and defense plan in 2024. The message was clear: Greenland should be part of decisions about Greenland. The plan supports working with other countries. It shows a long-term goal of becoming independent. It also says Greenland wants to adapt rather than just let things happen. At the same time, Denmark still controls defense and foreign affairs. It also pays for Greenland’s healthcare and education. All of this creates ongoing tension between what Greenland wants and what Denmark controls. It is hard to imagine Greenland paying for its goals on its own.
That tension is a key part of the country’s local politics. Most people agree that independence is the goal. But opinions differ on the details. Surveys over the last twenty years show steady support for more self-government. People are careful about full independence. They also worry a lot about money and safety. Many Greenlanders want to rule themselves without upsetting their daily lives. Others are ready to accept some compromises. A large number of people are still unsure and undecided.
To explore what independence might look like, Greenland started a Constitutional Commission. Its first plan for a constitution describes a future where Greenland manages its own international relationships. It would work freely with other countries. It would also protect its land as one whole piece. It leaves room for partnerships, even in defense and security, where it might not have enough resources. The document also suggests ideas like free association – or partnerships with other nations like Denmark or the US. This hints at ways to balance self-rule with outside help. It is certainly a careful process. Since the plan was released in 2023, progress has been slow.
Money makes everything more complicated. Rich natural resources are often seen as the key to independence. Everyone agrees that Greenland has valuable minerals. But getting them out of the ground is expensive. It also needs buildings and roads that are not ready yet. Also, the risks to the environment are high for a country that deeply respects nature.
Politically, being careful is favored. Greenland’s current leaders talk openly about independence. But they focus on being ready rather than rushing. So, the relationship with Denmark stays steady, even if it’s not perfect. Neither side seems keen to force big changes. People’s reactions to new American interest show a population that is divided. Some are cautious, others are curious. But they are strongly against trading one controller for another.
But what about that new American interest? In the last section, we will look at that.
Blink 5 – Trump’s pressure and four possible outcomes
By the late 2010s, Greenland was no longer just a small topic in Washington. It became a big news story that everyone was talking about. Since his first time in office, Donald Trump has talked about the US controlling Greenland in direct, business-like terms. He saw the idea as something important for strategy, wrapped up in a business deal.
Because of his rough manner, it can be easy to miss the good reasons behind his actions. Melting Arctic ice is opening new sea routes. It is also making resources easier to get. This, in turn, creates worry about Russia’s influence and China’s growing presence.
This new interest was very clear at the 2019 Arctic Council meeting. There, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that America had fallen behind in the Arctic. Russia was too strong, China was moving in, and everything needed to be thought about again. Suddenly, Greenland was very important in US politics.
Soon after, Trump publicly ended diplomatic talks with Denmark. Online, he let everyone know that he wanted to keep talking about controlling Greenland. He said this even if the Danes did not want to hear it. The US reopened its consulate in Nuuk. A new plan for working together appeared, focusing on trade and investment. Important rare minerals continued to be a strong reason. But there were also other issues, like changes to arms control between the US and Russia. These kept the Arctic high on Washington’s list of important things.
As it turned out, the diplomatic actions during Trump’s first term were quite mild compared to his second term. In 2025, it became a very strong effort. Greenland was presented as a place the US already helped to defend. Therefore, Washington felt it deserved more control. Trump made big promises. He also used strong language about getting the island “one way or the other.” This turned the friendly relationship with Denmark into a global test of trust.
So where does it go from here? Well, the author describes four possible results. In one, Greenland quickly moves towards independence with Denmark’s full help. Greenland would create its own international identity. This would likely be based on Inuit leadership, environmental trust, and choosing careful partners for security and investments. The hardest part would be providing services like healthcare and education equally across the country.
In another result, Greenland votes for independence. But Denmark slows down or blocks the process. It would offer only more self-rule instead. That outcome could hurt Denmark’s image, make investments harder, and give rivals easy arguments to use against the Danes.
A third idea imagines Greenland becoming closely absorbed into the United States. This would be mainly driven by military reasons and the need to deter enemies. That path brings up difficult questions for NATO unity, Denmark’s choices, and how much Europe would actually resist Washington.
The last idea is steady nation-building by Greenland. Denmark would slowly reduce its role. The United States would increase its influence without formally taking over. Less drama, more paperwork. It might sound a bit boring. But it is perhaps the most likely result – one where Greenland keeps moving forward, making careful decisions one at a time.
Final summary
In this summary of So You Want to Own Greenland? by Elizabeth Buchanan, you have learned that Greenland has never been an easy prize waiting to be taken. This is true even when outsiders insist on seeing it that way. From Viking settlers to Cold War planners and today’s powerful nations, attempts to control Greenland have always faced challenges. These challenges come from its geography, climate, economy, and the wishes of the people who live there. The island’s strategic value is clear. Its location, resources, and role in Arctic security make it impossible to ignore. But power in Greenland has always been limited by practical things, legal rules, and the difficulties of living, governing, and being accepted in one of the world’s harshest places. Meanwhile, Greenland is slowly changing from being an object to being an actor. Its journey towards independence is real and carefully planned. It is shaped as much by its own choices as by global pressures. Denmark, the United States, China, and others are all important. But none can decide Greenland’s future completely. Law, diplomacy, climate change, and economics are all things that cannot be avoided. Greenland’s future will be decided by those who understand its limits, respect its people, and are willing to work in a world where power is discussed and agreed upon, rather than simply owned.
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Source: https://www.blinkist.com/https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/so-you-want-to-own-greenland-en