Photo / Image: The HDMS Triton (F358), a Royal Danish navy vessel, approaches Greenland as seen from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma (WMEC 908), Aug. 15, 2020. Both vessel crews were participating in the 10th year of Operation Nanook. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Kate Kilroy/Released)

Geopolitical competition and recent diplomatic engagements have placed the future of Greenland in the headlines. Representatives from Greenland and Denmark met at the White House with senior U.S. officials (Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio) on January 14, 2026, to discuss Greenland’s status and security, with little to show for results. The meeting took place due to the Trump administration’s renewed emphasis on US control of Greenland. Denmark’s top diplomat, Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the talks ended in “fundamental disagreement.” (Washington Post, Jan 14, 2026)

The White House continues its campaign on the need for the United States to ‘own’ Greenland (NSI map) for its strategic security. It maintains that American ownership of the island is vital to defend against Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. (SOF News, Nov 2025) On January 14th, 2026, the White House published the graphic below on Twitter/X (see link).