US Envoy States Return to Greenland, More Military Bases to be Added
U.S. Envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, stated on the 20th in an interview with AFP that Washington must rebuild its influence in the Danish autonomous territory. During the Cold War, the U.S. had 17 military facilities in Greenland but now only one, the Pituffik Base, remains. Citing national security, Landry said it is time for the U.S. to re-establish its footprint, mentioning re-stationing at certain bases. Recent media reports suggest the U.S. plans to add three new bases in southern Greenland.
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(CNA, Nuuk, 20th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) U.S. Envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry told AFP in an interview today that Washington must rebuild its influence in the Danish autonomous territory. Greenland, an Arctic island, has been coveted by U.S. President Trump.
According to AFP, at the height of the Cold War, Washington had 17 military installations in Greenland, but they have been closed down over the years, leaving only one today: the Pituffik Base in northern Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly argued that for national security reasons, the United States must control Greenland. He claims that if not, the island risks falling into the hands of China or Russia.
Greenland is located on the shortest missile flight path between Russia and the United States. Furthermore, it is widely believed to hold untapped rare earth minerals, and as the polar ice melts and new shipping routes emerge, Greenland's strategic position will become even more critical.
"I think it's time for the United States to re-establish its footprint in Greenland," Landry told AFP at the conclusion of his first visit to Greenland since taking office last December.
He said, "I think you're seeing the president talk about how to enhance national security operations and re-station in some of these bases in Greenland. Greenland needs America."
According to recent media reports, the United States plans to add three new bases in southern Greenland. (Translator: Chen Yu-Ting)
According to AFP, at the height of the Cold War, Washington had 17 military installations in Greenland, but they have been closed down over the years, leaving only one today: the Pituffik Base in northern Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly argued that for national security reasons, the United States must control Greenland. He claims that if not, the island risks falling into the hands of China or Russia.
Greenland is located on the shortest missile flight path between Russia and the United States. Furthermore, it is widely believed to hold untapped rare earth minerals, and as the polar ice melts and new shipping routes emerge, Greenland's strategic position will become even more critical.
"I think it's time for the United States to re-establish its footprint in Greenland," Landry told AFP at the conclusion of his first visit to Greenland since taking office last December.
He said, "I think you're seeing the president talk about how to enhance national security operations and re-station in some of these bases in Greenland. Greenland needs America."
According to recent media reports, the United States plans to add three new bases in southern Greenland. (Translator: Chen Yu-Ting)
FAQ
美國為何再次重視在格陵蘭的軍事部署？
主要基於國家安全考量，為了抗衡中國與俄羅斯在該地區的影響力。此外，格陵蘭的戰略位置（位處美俄飛彈最短飛行路徑）、潛在的稀土礦產資源，以及因極地融冰出現的新航道，都使其戰略價值提升。
美國目前在格陵蘭有多少軍事基地？未來有何計畫？
目前僅剩一座，是位於格陵蘭北部的皮圖菲克基地（Pituffik）。根據近期媒體報導，美國計劃在格陵蘭南部增設3座新基地。
提出此主張的美國官員是誰？
美國格陵蘭特使蘭德瑞（Jeff Landry）。
冷戰時期美國在格陵蘭的軍事存在如何？
在冷戰高峰時期，美國（華府）曾在格陵蘭設有17座軍事設施，但後來已陸續關閉。
除了軍事考量，格陵蘭還有哪些戰略價值？
格陵蘭普遍被認為蘊藏尚未開發的稀土礦產，且隨著極地冰層消融，新的航運路線也隨之出現，增加了其經濟與航運上的戰略地位。