Murkowski Signals Shift to ‘Constructive’ US-Greenland Strategy at Munich Security Conference
MUNICH — Speaking on the sidelines of the 2026 Munich Security Conference, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) highlighted a significant evolution in Washington’s Arctic policy, telling Deutsche Welle that the U.S. administration is now taking a “more constructive approach” toward relations with Greenland.
The comments from Murkowski, a leading voice on Arctic security and energy issues, suggest a strategic refinement in how the United States engages with the semi-autonomous Danish territory. While previous administrations vacillated between neglect and transactional diplomacy—most notably the controversial 2019 proposal by then-President Donald Trump to purchase the island—the current strategy appears focused on soft power, diplomatic presence, and economic partnership. This shift comes as the Arctic continues to emerge as a critical theater for great power competition, with Russia expanding its northern military infrastructure and China declaring itself a “near-Arctic state.”
Deepening ties with Nuuk is strategically vital for the United States. Greenland hosts the Thule Air Base (Pituffik Space Base), the U.S. military’s northernmost installation, which is essential for missile warning and space surveillance. Furthermore, the island holds vast untapped reserves of rare earth minerals, resources that are increasingly critical for reducing Western reliance on Chinese supply chains for green technology and defense manufacturing. The U.S. has recently ramped up its diplomatic footprint, including the reopening of a consulate in Nuuk, aiming to secure these interests through cooperation rather than coercion.
However, a more aggressive U.S. courtship of Greenland faces significant hurdles and objections. Sovereignty remains a sensitive issue; while pro-independence sentiments in Greenland are strong, political leaders in Nuuk are wary of simply swapping dependence on Copenhagen for dependence on Washington. Local policymakers have repeatedly emphasized that foreign investment must benefit the Greenlandic population and adhere to strict environmental standards, particularly regarding mining projects that could threaten the island’s fragile ecosystem.
Additionally, increased American activity in the region risks straining relations with Denmark, a NATO ally that retains control over Greenland’s foreign and defense policy. While Copenhagen welcomes U.S. security guarantees, there is lingering diplomatic friction regarding the extent of direct U.S. engagement with Greenland’s local government. Critics also argue that a heightened U.S. posture could inadvertently accelerate the militarization of the Arctic, provoking reciprocal escalations from Russia and complicating the region’s historical status as a zone of low tension.
Despite these challenges, Murkowski’s assessment at MSC 2026 indicates a belief that Washington has moved past the diplomatic stumbles of the last decade, aiming to secure its northern flank through established alliances and economic incentives rather than real estate deals.
