Katya Adler

Greenland, the biggest island in the world, is an autonomous Danish territory, rich in oil, gas reserves and other natural resources like zinc, gold and copper. It sits between the US and Russia and is already home to a US military base. Its geostrategic significance is very clear.

It's also hugely important in terms of climate conversations and its melting ice is also opening up new profitable maritime trade routes, a development catching the attention of countries further afield, like China. With all these competing interests, could we be looking at a brewing cold war in the Arctic, or as some are calling it, an ice war? It made headlines all over the world this week.

It's also hugely important in terms of climate conversations and its melting ice is also opening up new profitable maritime trade routes, a development catching the attention of countries further afield, like China. With all these competing interests, could we be looking at a brewing cold war in the Arctic, or as some are calling it, an ice war? It made headlines all over the world this week.

It's also hugely important in terms of climate conversations and its melting ice is also opening up new profitable maritime trade routes, a development catching the attention of countries further afield, like China. With all these competing interests, could we be looking at a brewing cold war in the Arctic, or as some are calling it, an ice war? It made headlines all over the world this week.

Donald Trump refused to rule out the use of military force or economic coercion against NATO ally Denmark to wrest control of Greenland. And as he was doing that, his son popped over to the territory he claimed for an innocent tourist visit.

Donald Trump refused to rule out the use of military force or economic coercion against NATO ally Denmark to wrest control of Greenland. And as he was doing that, his son popped over to the territory he claimed for an innocent tourist visit.

Donald Trump refused to rule out the use of military force or economic coercion against NATO ally Denmark to wrest control of Greenland. And as he was doing that, his son popped over to the territory he claimed for an innocent tourist visit.

But to those in the know, Arctic security and the battle for influence there has been a growing concern for a number of years. Mr. Trump is certainly not the only one with a keen interest there. Conveniently, before he returned his focus to Greenland, here on The Global Story, we were already preparing an episode for you on the role of China and Russia in the Arctic.

But to those in the know, Arctic security and the battle for influence there has been a growing concern for a number of years. Mr. Trump is certainly not the only one with a keen interest there. Conveniently, before he returned his focus to Greenland, here on The Global Story, we were already preparing an episode for you on the role of China and Russia in the Arctic.

But to those in the know, Arctic security and the battle for influence there has been a growing concern for a number of years. Mr. Trump is certainly not the only one with a keen interest there. Conveniently, before he returned his focus to Greenland, here on The Global Story, we were already preparing an episode for you on the role of China and Russia in the Arctic.

I sat down with the BBC's defence correspondent Jonathan Beale and Tim Marshall, journalist and author of Prisoners of Geography and The Future of Geography. Let's start with some basic geography, Tim. Which countries are Arctic countries? So when we're talking about the Arctic Circle.

I sat down with the BBC's defence correspondent Jonathan Beale and Tim Marshall, journalist and author of Prisoners of Geography and The Future of Geography. Let's start with some basic geography, Tim. Which countries are Arctic countries? So when we're talking about the Arctic Circle.

I sat down with the BBC's defence correspondent Jonathan Beale and Tim Marshall, journalist and author of Prisoners of Geography and The Future of Geography. Let's start with some basic geography, Tim. Which countries are Arctic countries? So when we're talking about the Arctic Circle.

Not everyone gets a chance to go to the Arctic and experience the conditions there. But both of you have. Jonathan, I think you've been to every part of the Arctic. Is that right?

Not everyone gets a chance to go to the Arctic and experience the conditions there. But both of you have. Jonathan, I think you've been to every part of the Arctic. Is that right?

Not everyone gets a chance to go to the Arctic and experience the conditions there. But both of you have. Jonathan, I think you've been to every part of the Arctic. Is that right?

And let's have a look, Jonathan, at why we're talking about the Arctic right now, geostrategically. What's so important? Because you might be forgiven for thinking, well, I mean, there's not much there, the vast expanse of ice that we've been describing, sadly, bits of it melting. But why is it interesting for countries to compete to have control over the Arctic?

And let's have a look, Jonathan, at why we're talking about the Arctic right now, geostrategically. What's so important? Because you might be forgiven for thinking, well, I mean, there's not much there, the vast expanse of ice that we've been describing, sadly, bits of it melting. But why is it interesting for countries to compete to have control over the Arctic?

And let's have a look, Jonathan, at why we're talking about the Arctic right now, geostrategically. What's so important? Because you might be forgiven for thinking, well, I mean, there's not much there, the vast expanse of ice that we've been describing, sadly, bits of it melting. But why is it interesting for countries to compete to have control over the Arctic?

And it isn't just sea passage trade, Tim, is it? I mean, Jonathan mentioned oil and gas, but there are other minerals on there, zinc, nickel, iron, and there's a worldwide race for those these days too.