Melting ice is opening new shipping routes and exposing mineral wealth in Greenland, turning the island into a strategic frontline between the US and Russia, reports the UK Guardian.

The shrinking Arctic ice sheet has reduced average sea ice extent by 27 per cent compared with 1981-2010 levels, exposing seas that were once inaccessible. This has made northern routes more viable, including Russia's northeast passage and Canada's northwest passage.

In 2025, the container ship Istanbul Bridge became the first liner to sail from China to Europe via the northern sea route, cutting transit time to about 20 days. Traffic through the Bering Strait rose to 665 transits in 2024, up 175 per cent from 2010.

Moscow is investing in nuclear icebreakers to achieve year-round use of the route, though ships still face risks of becoming stuck in ice. Researchers have stated that commercial viability remains uncertain.

Military tensions are also rising. The US operates the Pituffik base in northwest Greenland, while Russia has opened new Arctic bases and restored Soviet-era facilities. China declared itself a 'near-Arctic state' in 2018 and deployed three icebreakers in 2024.

NATO expansion has reshaped the security landscape, with Denmark's air force integrating more closely with Nordic allies. Analysts have noted that Russia continues to assert control in the Arctic despite its focus on Ukraine.

Greenland also holds strategic mineral reserves. The US Geological Survey estimates 1.5 million tonnes of rare earths, with major deposits at Kvanefjeld and Tanbreez. China's Shenghe Resources owns a 12.5 per cent stake in Kvanefjeld.

Mining has yet to begin due to inaccessibility, but retreating ice is exposing new resources. Analysts have indicated that global heating is intensifying competition for Greenland's minerals and shipping lanes.

Flashpoint

Greenland: The New Arctic Battleground for Resources