So You Want to Own Greenland?

An indispensable guide to Greenland—why it matters, who covets it and why this wilderness of 56,000 inhabitants could become the next global flashpoint. Greenland is no ordinary island. From its discovery by Norsemen to its contemporary strategic significance, it has been a frontier for human exploration and empire, today emerging as a facilitator of geoeconomic competition. This book delves into the rich history and complex politics of Greenland, revealing how this icy expanse has shaped—and been shaped by—the world. This short history begins with the Vikings, whose mysterious disappearance from Greenland in the 1400s remains one of history’s great puzzles. It then explores the island’s gradual transformation from a Danish possession to an autonomous territory, charting its role during the World Wars and its strategic importance during the Cold War. Greenland finds itself at the centre of a renewed ‘great game’, balancing transatlantic ties, rising Chinese influence, and mounting domestic pressures for independence. And that’s before President Trump’s agenda is factored in. Starting from Trump’s plan to purchase Greenland, Elizabeth Buchanan dissects the island’s contemporary role and poses four provocative scenarios for its future—from full independence to an icy geopolitical standoff with Denmark. So You Want to Own Greenland? is an essential read for anyone curious about the future of this frozen frontier and its place on the global stage.