Greenland sits between the US and Russia and is now a key Arctic frontline as ice melts due to global warming. US ex-president Donald Trump even suggested the US might buy Greenland or take it by force from Denmark. The shrinking ice opens new sea routes and exposes vast resources. Arctic sea ice has dropped 27% from its 1981-2010 average, losing an area the size of Libya. This lets ships avoid old barriers once unreachable due to ice. The northern sea route along Russia’s coast links Europe and Asia, while the north-west passage runs through Canada. In 2025, the Istanbul Bridge ship took the northern sea route from China to the UK in just 20 days. Arctic route use surged 175% from 2010 to 2024. Still, ships risk getting stuck, and Russia is investing in nuclear icebreakers to ensure year-round passage. Arctic nations including Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and the US are staking claims. The US has a base in Greenland for missile and space operations. Russia rebuilt bases and airfields, while China calls itself a “near-Arctic state.” Finland and Sweden joining NATO tightened Nordic security, increasing tensions with Russia. Greenland also holds 1.5 million tonnes of rare earth minerals, crucial for tech industries, ranking 8th globally. China’s Shenghe Resources holds a big stake in mining projects but mining hasn’t started due to harsh access. As ice melts, more minerals become reachable, boosting foreign interest. Greenland’s strategic position and resources make it a hot geopolitical flashpoint as the Arctic changes.