Research | Forskning

Through the methodological approaches of case studies and process tracing analysis, the PhD thesis examines how relations between the United States (U.S.) (a superpower) and Greenland (portrayed in the analysis as a small State-like polity) affects Greenland’s self-determination in times of increase… Through the methodological approaches of case studies and process tracing analysis, the PhD thesis examines how relations between the United States (U.S.) (a superpower) and Greenland (portrayed in the analysis as a small State-like polity) affects Greenland’s self-determination in times of increased international focus and tension in the Arctic. Employing Putnam’s two-level game theory (1998), and action space theories (Mouritzen 2006, Petersen 2005), the three analytical articles of the thesis conclude that Greenland’s action space is ambiguous: Greenland has widened its action space in relation to Denmark through deliberate, direct negotiations with the U.S., while the action space is delimited by the greater overall geopolitical conditions affecting the U.S. interests in Greenland, as they change due to the homeland security interests of the U.S. The thesis examines how and when Greenland’s action space is widened or limited by external and internal factors in the trilateral Greenland-Denmark-U.S. relationship. The analysis furthermore discusses how the three parties engage in a new form of interlocking, two-level game, where Greenland and the U.S. engages more directly as opposed to Greenland formerly engaging Denmark from a subnational position. In the interlocking two-level game, Greenland is positioned equally to Denmark and the U.S., and by navigating well-known incentives for bargaining for win-sets, the three parties interlock each other in a new form of two-level game. This happens as each of their interests at level one (international negotiations) overlap, while each fulfils the interests of their constituents at level two (domestic level), making it possible to sign agreements. The thesis analyzes the increasingly direct cooperation and relationship between Greenland and the U.S., carved out as Greenland has demanded a greater say towards Denmark on foreign policy, security and defense affairs. The thesis analysis is based on case studies of events taking place from 2014 to 2021, where all three actors are at play in different ways. The analysis employs a rationalist theoretic approach to negotiations between Greenland and the U.S., and in some cases between Greenland, the U.S. and Denmark. The thesis includes a constructivist backdrop in the form of two chapters laying out the historical relationships between Greenland and Denmark, and between Greenland and the U.S. The first background chapter establishes the norms, roles and legitimacy of Greenland as an independent actor, while the second background chapter analyzes the relationship seen through the lens of U.S. securitization acts towards Greenland during the past two centuries. The empirical as well as theoretical findings of the thesis contribute to a better understanding of how Greenland has navigated its action space in times of increased geopolitical tension in the Arctic. It provides insight into the decision-making processes in Greenland’s engagements with the U.S. and Denmark, including the thinking behind its decisions and political aspirations. The process tracing analysis leads to a causal graph displaying the steps needed for Greenland to engage more directly and bilaterally with the U.S., but the question of Denmark’s involvement is a paradox in this new relationship because the need for Denmark’s involvement is viewed differently by the parties involved from case to case. The thesis concludes that Greenland is balancing a thin line of self-determination by testing its action space, and that Denmark, sometimes deliberately, sometimes not, supports Greenland’s wider room for maneuverings. The thesis includes a discussion of how this analysis contributes to a decolonial approach to International Relations (IR) studies by employing an understanding of Greenland acting as a State-like polity, engaging in negotiations analyzed with a rationalist approach that previously has been applied to sovereign States. It furthermore includes an outlook beyond the timeframe of the study, based on the expressions of U.S. geopolitical interests in Greenland taking place as the thesis was finalized in the spring of 2025. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Forud for Arktisk Råds tilblivelse i 1996 foregik der et omfattende arbejde mellem staterne, og ikke mindst af de arktiske oprindelige folk. Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), som repræsenterer Inuit i Kalaallit Nunaat (Grønland), Canada, Alaska og Chukotka (Rusland), spillede en central rolle i kampe… Forud for Arktisk Råds tilblivelse i 1996 foregik der et omfattende arbejde mellem staterne, og ikke mindst af de arktiske oprindelige folk. Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), som repræsenterer Inuit i Kalaallit Nunaat (Grønland), Canada, Alaska og Chukotka (Rusland), spillede en central rolle i kampen for, at Arktisk Råd kom til at inkludere oprindelige folk ved bordet. ICC’s arkiver giver et grundigt indblik drøftelserne internt i ICC, og mellem staterne og de andre oprindelige folk. Arktisk Råds unikke struktur med otte stater og seks oprindelige folks organisationer siddende om bordet, fuldt ud deltagende i alle beslutningsprocesser blev således udviklet gennem års forhandlinger. ICC og de andre oprindelige folks organisationer har fortsat deres aktive bidrag gennem de seneste års krise i Arktisk Råd, og peger på styrkelsen af oprindelige folks deltagelse som en af nøglerne til et fortsat aktivt Arktisk Råd, til gavn for alle arktiske folk. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

The management of foreign and security policy within the Kingdom of Denmark has continually undergone a series of changes in response to shifting great-power dynamics and structural conditions. Not least, Kalaallit Nunaat’s Home Rule Government and later Self-Government has attained increased formal… The management of foreign and security policy within the Kingdom of Denmark has continually undergone a series of changes in response to shifting great-power dynamics and structural conditions. Not least, Kalaallit Nunaat’s Home Rule Government and later Self-Government has attained increased formal and substantive authority over aspects of foreign policy, as well as a distinct influence on the Realm’s security policy in the Arctic. Both the evolving geopolitical environment and the internal reconfigurations of the Realm generate new strategic challenges for the Kingdom as a whole, for its individual constituent parts, and for external powers. In this context, understanding Kalaallit Nunaat as a security-policy actor becomes essential. This chapter first outlines the formal frameworks that constitute the Self-Government as an actor, along with the historical developments that produced them. It then characterizes Kalaallit Nunaat’s foreign-policy identity and the central goals and interests pursued on that basis. Finally, it examines the information and decision-making structures between Denmark and Kalaallit Nunaat and within the Self-Government, shaping how these goals and interests are pursued both proactively and reactively in practice. The chapter concludes by discussing how the boundary between “security policy,” on the one hand, and “ordinary” foreign policy withing legislative areas taken home by Kalaallit Nunaat on the other, emerges as the central challenge for both the realization of Kalaallit Nunaat’s long-term ambition for further self-determination and for its internal decision-making structures. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Arctic Indigenous Peoples have, through their own persistence, advanced the development of the Western European legal norms in a system that once facilitated their colonisation. The fiftieth anniversary of the Arctic Peoples’ Conference took place in 2023. The occasion was marked with another Confer… Arctic Indigenous Peoples have, through their own persistence, advanced the development of the Western European legal norms in a system that once facilitated their colonisation. The fiftieth anniversary of the Arctic Peoples’ Conference took place in 2023. The occasion was marked with another Conference, this time in Ilulissat, Greenland. It was a moment to reflect on the achievements of Arctic Indigenous Peoples, to build upon the 1973 resolutions and to address contemporary challenges. The resultant Joint Statement addresses the need for enhanced engagement in the forums of international law, intergenerational justice, intersecting rights to wellbeing, land, water and natural resources, and to address the risks posed by climate change and colonialism. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

As a political focal point, the Pituffik Space Base (“Pituffik”) has played a decisive role in deepening relations between Greenland and the United States. To shed light upon these relations, both between the two internally and with regard to Denmark, this article analyses the 2020 negotiations rega… As a political focal point, the Pituffik Space Base (“Pituffik”) has played a decisive role in deepening relations between Greenland and the United States. To shed light upon these relations, both between the two internally and with regard to Denmark, this article analyses the 2020 negotiations regarding Pituffik and the positions of the three parties in both the final agreement and the process of negotiation. The theoretical framework of the analysis is an interlocked two-level game analysis following Putnam (1988); the study is based upon 12 interviews with key figures, media coverage, and on the negotiated agreements themselves. The article argues that Greenland and the United States, although being an odd couple as a small state-like self-governing nation and a global superpower, conducted a new, interlocking two-level game, reaching win-sets and common interests while changing the way the parties negotiate and sign agreements. Thus, the article concludes that the 2020 negotiations about the base inaugurate a change in the overall relationship by positioning Greenland in a new and more direct relationship with the United States. Read more

Research | Forskning

The Arctic is directly affected by the interaction of two ongoing global crises: climate change and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. With its temperatures rising four times faster than the global average, the Arctic is facing dramatic environmental consequences. Meanwhile, retreating sea… The Arctic is directly affected by the interaction of two ongoing global crises: climate change and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. With its temperatures rising four times faster than the global average, the Arctic is facing dramatic environmental consequences. Meanwhile, retreating sea ice has led to increased economic interest in the Arctic and its growing geopolitical importance. Thus, understanding and managing the global and local implications of environmental change in this region requires urgent scientific and diplomatic collaboration. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

A diplomatic crisis was sparked in 2014 when the US awarded the Pituffik air base maintenance contract to an American company rather than a Greenlandic-Danish one. Following negotiations led to two Memoranda of Understanding between Greenland and the US, aiming to further develop cooperation on area… A diplomatic crisis was sparked in 2014 when the US awarded the Pituffik air base maintenance contract to an American company rather than a Greenlandic-Danish one. Following negotiations led to two Memoranda of Understanding between Greenland and the US, aiming to further develop cooperation on areas within Greenlandic authority. The MoUs marked a new bilateral relationship between Greenland and the US and were followed up with an ‘economic growth package’ of initiatives funded by the US, amounting to USD 12 million. Taking these developments as case studies, and based, e.g., on qualitative interviews with Greenlandic, Danish, and American officials, this article sets out a process tracing analysis of why Greenland and the US chose to further their direct cooperation. The article also discusses whether and how the US-Greenlandic relationship has changed over the past two decades. En diplomatisk krise blev udløst i 2014, da USA tildelte servicekontrakten på Pituffik-basen til en amerikansk virksomhed i stedet for en grønlandsk-dansk virksomhed. Efterfølgende forhandlinger førte til to grønlandsk-amerikanske aftalememoranda om videreudvikling af samarbejdet på områder inden for grønlandsk myndighedsansvar. De markerede et nyt bilateralt forhold mellem Grønland og USA og blev fulgt op af en “økonomisk vækstpakke” af initiativer finansieret af USA med 12 millioner USD. Med disse udviklinger som cases, og baseret på bl.a. kvalitative interviews med grønlandske, danske og amerikanske embedsmænd, præsenterer denne artikel først en procesanalyse af, hvorfor Grønland og USA valgte at fremme deres direkte samarbejde. Dernæst diskuterer artiklen, om og hvordan forholdet mellem USA og Grønland har ændret sig over de seneste to årtier. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

As a self-governing nation that exercises jurisdiction over most policy areas, Greenland is constantly testing its foreign policy and self-determination action space. Predominantly having aimed at increasing its action space towards Denmark, especially since inaugurating home rule in 1979 and self-g… As a self-governing nation that exercises jurisdiction over most policy areas, Greenland is constantly testing its foreign policy and self-determination action space. Predominantly having aimed at increasing its action space towards Denmark, especially since inaugurating home rule in 1979 and self-government in 2009, Greenland has for the past decade been increasing its engagement as a direct partner to the US. In this paper, I analyse three cases where the Greenland-Denmark-US relations in different ways are delimited and affected by great power relations between the US, China, and Russia. In doing so, I demonstrate how Greenland increasingly uses its action space to affect the outcome of policies and initiatives that lie within the ‘grey zones’ between Greenlandic and Danish power relations. The paper contributes to the understanding of how state-like actors balance their relations in ambiguous ways towards larger states and creates action spaces to determine their own futures. The article argues that Greenland, by balancing the internal and external limitations determined by Greenland’s relations to Denmark and the US, is creating an ambiguous action space, where Greenlandic politicians can and do affect their action options. At the same time, these politicians must acknowledge that Greenland’s action space is constantly evolving against a backdrop of deepening relations between Nuuk and Washington, as well as increasing international tensions. The article is based on an analysis of official documents, media outlets and elite interviews. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Nunat pissaanilissuit annertusiartuinnartumik Issittumik soqutiginnninnerat Kalaallit Nunaata Danmarkillu akornanni attaveqatigiinnermut aqqutinik unamminartumik inissisimatitsipput. Ilisimatusarfimmi Ph.D.-nngorniartoq Sara Olsvig, Ulrik Pram Gad DIIS-imeersoq peqatigalugu periutsinik suleriaatsini… Nunat pissaanilissuit annertusiartuinnartumik Issittumik soqutiginnninnerat Kalaallit Nunaata Danmarkillu akornanni attaveqatigiinnermut aqqutinik unamminartumik inissisimatitsipput. Ilisimatusarfimmi Ph.D.-nngorniartoq Sara Olsvig, Ulrik Pram Gad DIIS-imeersoq peqatigalugu periutsinik suleriaatsinillu pitsanngorsaanissamut arlalialunnik DIIS-imit Policy Brief-imi uani innersuussuteqarput. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Den øgede stormagtsinteresse for Arktis sætter kommunikationslinjerne mellem Grønland og Danmark under pres. Ph.D.-stipendiat på Ilisimatusarfik Sara Olsvig og Ulrik Pram Gad fra DIIS en anbefaler i dette DIIS Policy Brief en række mulige forbedringer af praksis og procedurer.

Communication | Formidling

Increased great power interest in the Arctic strains the lines of communication between Greenland and Denmark. Ph.D.-fellow Sara Olsvig from the University of Greenland, Ulrik Pram Gad from DIIS recommends a series of enhanced procedures and practices.