China and the USA are Fighting Over Greenland

Why Greenland is Suddenly So Important
Thanks to Storyblocks for sponsoring this video.

As the world gets warmer due to man-made climate change, geopolitical competition is heating up in the arctic. And Greenland is finding itself at the center of this competition, as world superpowers fight each other for economic influence and geopolitical control.

This video was filmed in February 2023 in Greenland, with the help of many people.

Thanks to Visit Greenland and Hotel Icefjord for supporting portions of this trip to Greenland.

About:
Johnny Harris is an Emmy-winning independent journalist and contributor to the New York Times. Based in Washington, DC, Harris reports on interesting trends and stories domestically and around the globe, publishing to his audience of over 3.5 million on Youtube. Harris produced and hosted the twice Emmy-nominated series Borders for Vox Media. His visual style blends motion graphics with cinematic videography to create content that explains complex issues in relatable ways.

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[AndreasMnck]

I feel like you missed an opportunity to tell the crazy story of how a single rogue Danish diplomat secured a deal with America to open a military base in Greenland while Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. Important point in the history of a long alliance between Denmark and USA.

[REDnBLACKnRED]

A video about geopolitics of Greenland that doesn't clearly discuss Greenland's relationship to Denmark is strange. Not once was it explicitly mentioned that Greenland is a part of The Kingdom of Denmark (now by choice), which makes Denmark a central player in the arctic too. This video shockingly highlighted the US-centrism - mentioning only US interests and the ones of its rival China.

[Kristian.B.Kristiansen]

I well know, that Denmark isn't a superpower by any means, but since Greenland is part of our realm and have members represented in our Parliament, a bit more mention on Denmarks role in this question would have been nice.

A major reason for the US being able to build all those bases was Denmarks Nato membership and alliance with the USA. We the Danish had no reasons to complain about them strengthening the defense against a possible Soviet threat.

[SophiaChristian-soof]

BRICS seeks to create a new currency, considering gold's historical role as a store of value and medium of exchange. However, the functionality and acceptance of a gold-backed currency in the current global financial system are uncertain. Creating a new currency requires careful consideration of economic, political, and logistical factors.

[JohnAndJohner]

Let's not pretend Greenland is even remotely self-sustaining. They live off nearly half a billion dollars annually from Denmark for approximately 50K people. I support Greenlandic independence morally, but we're a long way away from it being financially viable, and realistically you'd end up being financially chained by worse countries instead.

[calvindobson]

The US immediately getting involved once China decided to start funding and building airports in greenland reminds me of the town in West Virginia who couldn't get state funding for a necessary bridge so they went to the USSR who decided it was a perfect opportunity to show off.

[BenDiaz]

These arctic videos you put out are so fascinating to me because we rarely see maps from a North Pole centric perspective. It makes people and countries halfway around the world seem a little closer.

[alexanderolesen]

I am from Denmark and it’s crazy to me that we own such a significant geographical location. But Johnny you did event mention us lol, and you say they are building diplomatic relations with Greenland, but they are building diplomatic relationships with Denmark.

[Sanatani_Sherni]

*Perfect Example Of the Quote:*
_In Geopolitics, there are no permanent friends... only permanent interests_
❤

[HeisenbergFam]

"US sold this town back to Greenlandic government for $1"
What a great business deal

[ehseahla]

Can't we all just live peacefully, hold hands and sing a rousing song of Kumbaya?

[katefrancis]

Great Video Johnny and crew!! My grandfather did work in Greenland back in the 80’s. He said it was so different there and cold there. It amazing what’s happening now. I hope the people there enjoy the working of having the upper hand with the superpowers. They get to pick what they want!! Good luck to them and of course the whole world will be watching. ❤❤

[jeffreystewart]

Just a small correction:
Thule (TOO-li) Air Base reorganized to be a Space Force base back in 2020. Then in April 2023, it was renamed to Pituffik (bee-doo-FEEK) Space Base to recognize the native name for the region.

[_harrop]

I actually had a professor researching this topic via Camp Century (the biggest US camp on Iceland). Ok there he also was able to access Ice cores that no one had ever really accessed. Super cool stuff. But on the lecture he gave us in class, he was absolutely freaked about about the war potential of Greenland.

[ninjacole]

I’m not pro China, but it’s worth pointing out that Chinese influence tactics are lifted straight from the western/USA playbook of post colonial control

[nabbous]

17:38 kudos to the editor with their voice to video alignment

[zman]

A while ago The Canadian military backed out of a deal where the government was going to provide arctic warfare training for Chinese military officials (or at least let them observe Canadian exercises). I think it was the military command that was just like yeah no we're not doing that. This gives it some context

[Novacification]

Instead of taking steps to prevent the ice caps melting everyone is simply looking to take advantage and likely make the situation worse in the process.

[alexhoang]

I love that Johnny Harris lets us see how long he is advertising for a company so we could skip that part😆😆

[MusicallyQ]

*Because that would be the equivalent of basically throwing our alliances with dozens of other countries in the trash.*