Global Security Problem in the Arctic Zone: NATO, Greenland, Denmark, China, and Russia – Greenland, the World's Biggest Military Unprotected Zone and a Future Task of NATO and the USA

Introduction

The Americans repeated offers to purchase Greenland has several times placed the world’s biggest island at the heart of the world affairs and great power rivalry in the Arctic. Greenland is currently enjoying considerable interest from both the U.S. and China while Russia is increasing its military capabilities in the region. Traditionally, Greenlandic politicians have not been interested in defence and military spending without civilian purpose. And as security policy is constitutionally outside the self-government’s authority the issue has not been high on the agenda. However, as Greenland is actively seeking independence from Denmark, the future of Greenlandic defence has become crucial to understanding its independence aspirations.

However, the threats against Denmark are very complex and are in a wider perspective the most unpredictable since the end of the Cold War. This is based not least on the aggressive behaviour of Russia, massive cyberattacks, China’s economic aggressivity and the sustained terrorist threat against Europe and Denmark. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the US commitment in Europe is maintained through NATO, which remains the cornerstone of Danish security policy. We must also strengthen the European security architecture and be at the forefront of the international cooperation on cyber security.

This article examines the complexed international security situation in the Arctic zone. Focus, especially, on the role of Greenland, de facto a demilitarized area in the northern hemisphere. What are the military and economic roles of Denmark, Russia, USA, Greenland, China, and further actors in the area? And what are the political, economic, military, and strategic consequences of the climate change in of the hot spots of security zones in the 2020s and forward?