Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis Crisis diplomacy, Kingdom of Denmark chairship of the Arctic Council, and the evolution of Greenlandic foreign policy
8 snips
May 20, 2025 
Rasmus Leander Nielsen, an expert in Greenlandic foreign policy and the head of NASIFIC at the University of Greenland, dives into Greenland's evolving role in Arctic diplomacy. He discusses how the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have reshaped Arctic governance. Nielsen highlights Greenland's rising independence since the 1970s and the complexity of its relationships with larger powers like the U.S. The conversation also navigates the challenges of leading the Arctic Council amidst geopolitical tensions and the need for sustainable initiatives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Evolution of Greenlandic Foreign Policy
- Greenlandic foreign policy has evolved steadily since the 1970s, despite Denmark having constitutional control over foreign affairs.
- Greenland engages in paradiplomacy, with growing international diplomatic activities and representations.
Concept of Crisis Diplomacy
- Crisis diplomacy refers to how Greenland manages external shocks like COVID-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- Greenland used online diplomacy during COVID, which sometimes made participation easier in Arctic Council discussions.
Arctic Council's Vital Role for Greenland
- The Arctic Council is the most important international forum for Greenland's identity and diplomacy.
- Greenland was a founding member and actively participates in Arctic Council working groups to project its international presence.