Jeffrey Gettleman

Greenlanders have the right to call a referendum and declare independence. They only got that right in 2009. But they haven't done it yet because there's a lot of big, sticky issues that they have to solve before they can become their own independent country. Like what? More than 50% of Greenland's budget comes directly from Denmark.

Greenlanders have the right to call a referendum and declare independence. They only got that right in 2009. But they haven't done it yet because there's a lot of big, sticky issues that they have to solve before they can become their own independent country. Like what? More than 50% of Greenland's budget comes directly from Denmark.

Hundreds of millions of dollars each year comes from Denmark to pay for roads, schools, social services, education, just about everything. And if they became independent, they'd need to fill that hole. One solution, many Greenlanders say, is developing their mineral industry.

Hundreds of millions of dollars each year comes from Denmark to pay for roads, schools, social services, education, just about everything. And if they became independent, they'd need to fill that hole. One solution, many Greenlanders say, is developing their mineral industry.

But it's been really hard developing this sector because of the extreme cold weather, the ice that blocks ports, the fact that there's very few roads on Greenland. And so the mineral trade seems like a long-term solution, but not necessarily what Greenland would need right now if it declares independence.

But it's been really hard developing this sector because of the extreme cold weather, the ice that blocks ports, the fact that there's very few roads on Greenland. And so the mineral trade seems like a long-term solution, but not necessarily what Greenland would need right now if it declares independence.

That's a really good question. And I talked to a lot of people about exactly that. And what I kept hearing was talk about a free association agreement. The U.S. has relationships with a few countries in the South Pacific where America pays for many of their expenses. And in turn, these countries allow the U.S. to use their territory for military bases. They vote with the U.S. at the U.N.

That's a really good question. And I talked to a lot of people about exactly that. And what I kept hearing was talk about a free association agreement. The U.S. has relationships with a few countries in the South Pacific where America pays for many of their expenses. And in turn, these countries allow the U.S. to use their territory for military bases. They vote with the U.S. at the U.N.

They're very loyal allies of the United States of America. And several people I met in Greenland, including politicians, but also less political types, had the same thought. And they said, we should establish a free association agreement with the U.S. where we are an independent country, but we have a very close relationship with the U.S.,

They're very loyal allies of the United States of America. And several people I met in Greenland, including politicians, but also less political types, had the same thought. And they said, we should establish a free association agreement with the U.S. where we are an independent country, but we have a very close relationship with the U.S.,

Yeah, a lot of Greenlanders feel that way. But even from the ones who are a little nervous, I get the sense of enjoyment and comeuppance that finally we're giving it back to Denmark. And already all the attention that the U.S. has put on Greenland is helping the Greenlanders extract certain concessions from Denmark.

Yeah, a lot of Greenlanders feel that way. But even from the ones who are a little nervous, I get the sense of enjoyment and comeuppance that finally we're giving it back to Denmark. And already all the attention that the U.S. has put on Greenland is helping the Greenlanders extract certain concessions from Denmark.

And there are things that they have been asking for for years, like Greenlandic being established as a national identity, being able to export their fish directly to world markets. These are things that Denmark resisted for a long time. And just in the past few months, with Trump breathing down their neck, they have agreed to make these concessions.

And there are things that they have been asking for for years, like Greenlandic being established as a national identity, being able to export their fish directly to world markets. These are things that Denmark resisted for a long time. And just in the past few months, with Trump breathing down their neck, they have agreed to make these concessions.

I don't think a U.S. invasion of Greenland is very likely. But I do think that after 150 years of trying to take over Greenland, the U.S. is closer today than it's ever been. Even if Greenland doesn't become part of America, most people there want to break off from Denmark, and many of them want a closer relationship with America. What this means is that the U.S.

I don't think a U.S. invasion of Greenland is very likely. But I do think that after 150 years of trying to take over Greenland, the U.S. is closer today than it's ever been. Even if Greenland doesn't become part of America, most people there want to break off from Denmark, and many of them want a closer relationship with America. What this means is that the U.S.

is essentially pulling an enormous chunk of territory away from Europe at a time when things really couldn't be worse between the U.S. and Europe. It would also mean that the U.S. establishes a big foothold in a very strategic area, the Arctic.

is essentially pulling an enormous chunk of territory away from Europe at a time when things really couldn't be worse between the U.S. and Europe. It would also mean that the U.S. establishes a big foothold in a very strategic area, the Arctic.

And so this place that no one was really talking about five or ten years ago, it could actually turn out to be one of the more dramatic examples of a new geopolitical realignment.

And so this place that no one was really talking about five or ten years ago, it could actually turn out to be one of the more dramatic examples of a new geopolitical realignment.