Greenland Territorial Dispute Between Denmark and US and its Implications on Russia.

Abstract

The largest island in the world, as a result of favorable geostrategic positions, rich natural resources, and changing position regarding the territorial disputes, Greenland now lies on the frontlines of the Arctic geopolitics. This paper will look at the tantrums that have surrounded the relationship between Denmark, the United States and Greenland and in its consequences of the encounter to the relationship of Russia. The autonomy of Greenland is making it more independent since this was once a Danish colony. At the same time, the United States military, economic and geopolitical interest in Greenland has been noted to be increasing as seen in the ownership of Thule air base and earlier attempts at acquiring the island. These processes declare that Greenland has been transformed to a standby region to political power hub. In its quest to exercise its powers over Greenland, Denmark tries to balance its obligations to the NATO and its aspiration to have self-determination in the country. It also examines the manner in which the United States is efforts are underway towards beefing up its Arctic frontier as the great-power rivalry ratchets up. Conversely, Russia considers the spread of Western influence in Greenland as a threat towards its Arctic positioning strategy in areas that are associated with resource prosperity and dominantly rising sea lanes. The paper also argues that the effect of territorial future of Greenland as being integrated into Denmark or as gradually becoming less dependent, or more integrated and controlled by the United States would have a vast influence on the power play in the Arctic. This discussion indicates that, in the twenty-first century, the island became a chess board of the geopolitical game. The process of greenlandization is one of the factors as to why one should expect the changes in the spheres of authority, military orbits, and the international security system incorporating Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the Arctic.