BERLIN, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Germany will send 13 soldiers to Greenland on Thursday as part of a reconnaissance mission with other European nations, the German government and defence ministry said on Wednesday, following demands by President Donald Trump for Washington to have control of the island. The mission, which comes at the request of Denmark, will take place from Thursday to Saturday, aiming to explore possible military contributions to bolster the security of the region, a defence ministry statement said. This could, for example, include maritime surveillance, it added. Trump has repeatedly said in recent weeks that Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark that is strategically located and rich in minerals, is vital to U.S. security, and that the United States must own it to prevent Russia or China from occupying it.
Can someone more informed than me explain why it it’s in contention for being occupied by any nation in the first place?
@vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works is right. This isn’t about arctic security or deterrence at all. The US military already has unlimited access to the whole island and its airspace. The only reason Trump wants it to be a part of the US is because he is a manbaby and the grown-ups have all told him he can’t have it.
Because of its strategic geographic location as the land ice melts, and all the untapped resources under that ice, AND the fact that in 300 years, it will likely be prime real estate.
Trump also thinks it’s 50x larger than it really is because of map projection effects.
It’s really big though; it’s the largest island and one fifth the size of the usa, and the twelfth largest country.
Trump is stupid and wants it and MAGA wants to restart manifest destiny.
Oh wait, I see I haven’t answered your question. The land has strategic value because it sits between Russia and North America. During the Cold War in particular, it was a good place to put early warning radar to detect nuclear launches. Now, for example, the waters around the island are patrolled for Russian submarines and stuff. And as the Arctic Ocean’s surface ice thaws, there are valuable trade routes there that different states want to control. And there might be some fancy minerals on the island itself.