The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series Why on Earth Would We Take Greenland? || Peter Zeihan
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Jan 19, 2026 The idea of acquiring Greenland is dissected, revealing it as economically and strategically unwise. Peter explains Russia's naval capabilities in the Arctic are overstated, making the threat minimal. He highlights the harsh climate of Greenland, which makes militarization impractical. The potential of Arctic shipping routes is countered by exorbitant costs, while mining ambitions are deemed unrealistic. Denmark's willingness to collaborate is emphasized, warning that annexation could jeopardize critical U.S.-European alliances.
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Greenland Adds Little Defensive Value
- The Russian navy cannot meaningfully project power into the North Atlantic today.
- Peter Zeihan argues Greenland offers little defensive value because existing NATO partners and bases already cover that role.
Terrain Makes Military Use Impractical
- Greenland's terrain and climate make it a poor platform for projecting military power.
- Building ports or floating bases would be astronomically expensive and strategically marginal according to Peter Zeihan.
Arctic Shipping Is Not Worth the Cost
- Arctic shipping routes via Greenland are not a sensible strategic prize for the U.S. to buy.
- Peter Zeihan calls the trillion-dollar infrastructure cost to exploit such routes a bizarre and poor value proposition.