What A Day Why Greenland Keeps Rejecting America's Advances
Jan 21, 2026
Ronald Doel, a renowned historian and expert on Greenland’s geopolitical significance, shares fascinating insights about the island's relationship with the U.S. He discusses the long history of American interest dating back to Seward, the complex ties between Greenland and Denmark, and the implications of Donald Trump’s recent overtures. Doel highlights how these actions might threaten NATO trust and differ from past U.S. collaborations. Their conversation dives into foreign interests in Greenland's resources, and why it remains fiercely independent.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Greenland's Strategic Value Is Longstanding
- Greenland has long been strategically valuable to the U.S., especially during WWII and the Cold War, as a gateway in the Arctic.
- Historical offers, like Truman's $100 million proposal, show recurring U.S. interest tied to military and geopolitical concerns.
A Visitor's First Glimpse Of Greenland
- Ronald Doel describes flying into Greenland, seeing the immense ice cap and rugged coastline from the plane window.
- He recalls small towns where you could walk from an old U.S. base airport to a pizza shop across the road.
Autonomy Vs. Economic Dependence
- Greenlanders value growing autonomy but also rely heavily on Denmark for social services and economic support.
- That balance makes full independence desirable in principle but difficult in practice.
