Research | Forskning

This policy paper explores how the changing international security situation gives rise to hybrid threats and associated security and defence governance challenges in the North Atlantic. It foresees that hybrid threats are likely to continue to form a central aspect of security and defence issues in… This policy paper explores how the changing international security situation gives rise to hybrid threats and associated security and defence governance challenges in the North Atlantic. It foresees that hybrid threats are likely to continue to form a central aspect of security and defence issues in the region in the short-to-midterm future. Written as an anthology, this policy paper examines and assesses seven hybrid threats to the North Atlantic, which are related to cybersecurity, economic security, food security, influence campaigns, telecommunication infrastructure, fisheries, and foreign policy. Read more

Research | Forskning

I den offentlige debat fylder forholdet til Danmark, USA og Kina oftest noget mere end EU. Denne artikel vil med udgangspunkt i de to EF-afstemninger i hhv. 1972 og 1982 argumentere for at denne politiske periode er helt central for at forstå den stigende internationale rolle, som Grønland aktuelt s… I den offentlige debat fylder forholdet til Danmark, USA og Kina oftest noget mere end EU. Denne artikel vil med udgangspunkt i de to EF-afstemninger i hhv. 1972 og 1982 argumentere for at denne politiske periode er helt central for at forstå den stigende internationale rolle, som Grønland aktuelt spiller i et foranderligt Arktis. Read more

Research | Forskning

Artiklen diskuterer de juridiske, politiske, sikkerhedspolitiske og økonomiske muligheder og udfordringer, der er forbundet med en Free Association-model for Grønland.

Research | Forskning

Workshop Report from the North American Arctic Security Workshop (NAASW) in May 2024. The series of workshops are co-convened by Nasiffik (Greenland), NAADSN (Canada), and the Ted Stevens Center (Alaska, US)

Research | Forskning - peer review

Arktisk Råd er dét regionale forum, som Grønland vægter højest. Derfor har de seneste års udfordringer og kriser i rådet og dets arbejdergrupper været af særlig både udfordrende og betydningsfuld karakter for Grønland. Denne artikel undersøger to cases af krisediplomati, hvor det daglige arbejde i… Arktisk Råd er dét regionale forum, som Grønland vægter højest. Derfor har de seneste års udfordringer og kriser i rådet og dets arbejdergrupper været af særlig både udfordrende og betydningsfuld karakter for Grønland. Denne artikel undersøger to cases af krisediplomati, hvor det daglige arbejde i Arktisk Råd har været sat under pres, nemlig under Corona-pandemien fra starten af 2020 og i forlængelse af Ruslands angrebskrig i Ukraine fra starten af 2022. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

In 2022, Greenland, Canada, Denmark reached a historic agreement on the long-standing boundary disputes regarding Hans Island/Tartupaluk. We discuss the historical context and the content of the bargaining solution.

Research | Forskning

Podcast: Hør Sara Olsvig fortælle om den svære balancegang mellem selvbestemmelse og stormagtsinteresser, og hvad der står på spil for Grønlands fremtid. Medvirkende: Sara Olsvig og Rasmus Leander Nielsen, Ilisimatusarfik.

Research | Forskning

In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy for foreign, security and defense policy. Now, less than two years later, the strategy may be revised to adapt the (con)text in light of geopolitical complexities since the start of 2025 and the new coalition government formed in Greenland after the I… In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy for foreign, security and defense policy. Now, less than two years later, the strategy may be revised to adapt the (con)text in light of geopolitical complexities since the start of 2025 and the new coalition government formed in Greenland after the Inatsisartut election in March. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Grønlands strategi for udenrigs-, forsvars- og sikkerhedspolitik står formentlig over for en opdatering i den kommende tid. Blandt andet synes det muligt, at USA vil fylde mindre og EU mere.

Research | Forskning

Inatsisartutvalget i marts 2025 blev afholdt under uhørt stor medieopmærksomhed og blev døbt sneskredsvalget, da mange mandater blev flyttet. Demokraatit blev for første gang det største parti og kunne efterfølgende danne en storkoalition med IA, Siumut og Atassut. Det næststørste parti, Naleraq, bl… Inatsisartutvalget i marts 2025 blev afholdt under uhørt stor medieopmærksomhed og blev døbt sneskredsvalget, da mange mandater blev flyttet. Demokraatit blev for første gang det største parti og kunne efterfølgende danne en storkoalition med IA, Siumut og Atassut. Det næststørste parti, Naleraq, blev dermed det eneste oppositionsparti. Få uger efter gik de grønlandske vælgere igen til stemmeurnerne ved de fem kommunalvalg. Denne artikel analyserer valgene og diskuterer de store vælgervandringer (sneskred), og hvorfor nogle emner og partivalg stadig ligger som et permafrostlag under grønlandsk politik. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Fredag 15. marts åbner Europa-Kommissionen sit længe ventede kontor i Nuuk. Men på trods af EU's vigtighed for Grønland spiller EU en relativt afdæmpet rolle i Grønlands nye udenrigspolitiske strategi.

Research | Forskning - peer review

On 14 June 2022, an agreement between Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark, together with Greenland, resolved the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of Hans Island (which is known as Tartupaluk in Greenlandic) by creating a land boundary.

Research | Forskning - peer review

In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy on foreign, security, and defense policy. The strategy had been eagerly awaited for several years. The novel strategy aims to secure a stable foreign policy direction for Greenland for a decade and signal intents to multiple audiences. The Kingdom of… In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy on foreign, security, and defense policy. The strategy had been eagerly awaited for several years. The novel strategy aims to secure a stable foreign policy direction for Greenland for a decade and signal intents to multiple audiences. The Kingdom of Denmark had to delay their common strategy (or, policy) for the entire realm until the Greenlandic strategy was published, while other Arctic states have been curious on the priorities of the strategy. In this briefing note, we outline the historical and (geo)political context of the strategy. We then move on to discuss some of the main items of the strategy by emphasizing the relative of weight of certain areas over others (US and North American Arctic over EU and Denmark), security and defense policy, and climate policy, and, thirdly, sketch out the implications of these priorities for Greenland’s (geo)political aspirations and diplomatic relations. Read more

Research | Forskning

Denne rapport undersøger, med udgangspunkt i 107 facebookgrupper og -sider fra grønlandske medier, politikere og diskussionsfora, hvorvidt og i hvor høj grad, der findes påvirkningskampagner på Facebook i Grønland. Vi ved nemlig meget lidt om omfanget af desinformation i Grønland, og denne rapport e… Denne rapport undersøger, med udgangspunkt i 107 facebookgrupper og -sider fra grønlandske medier, politikere og diskussionsfora, hvorvidt og i hvor høj grad, der findes påvirkningskampagner på Facebook i Grønland. Vi ved nemlig meget lidt om omfanget af desinformation i Grønland, og denne rapport er den første større empiriske dataindsamling, der undersøger dette. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Pausen i Arktisk Råd er umiddelbart den største politiske udfordring for Grønland, som har signaleret, at et Arktisk Råd uden Rusland er utænkeligt på sigt.

Research | Forskning

This Working Paper outlines some of the main arguments and debates regarding Free Association in a Greenlandic context, and what possibilities and unclarities these have generated.

Research | Forskning - peer review

The future of the Arctic region is dependent on several structural forces, the most important being climate change, but geopolitical dynamics are increasingly coming to the fore and institutional cooperation is currently hampered. The future of the region is also highly contested and subject to much… The future of the Arctic region is dependent on several structural forces, the most important being climate change, but geopolitical dynamics are increasingly coming to the fore and institutional cooperation is currently hampered. The future of the region is also highly contested and subject to much speculation, some predicting a race, a struggle or both simultaneously while others predict a more orderly and stable development. As a result, we decided to organise a survey asking Arctic experts their predictions about the likelihood of possible Arctic geopolitical developments. Read more

Research | Forskning

Der er behov for en mere nuanceret debat i Grønland om de juridiske, politiske og økonomiske muligheder og udfordringer vedrørende Free Association

Research | Forskning

Ilisimatusarfik/University of Greenland 2020-imi novembarip decembarillu ingerlanerani nunanut allanut illersuinissamullu politiki pillugu Kalaallit Nunaanni innuttaasut isumasiorfigisimavaat. Tamanna Nuummi HS Analyse taavalu Stokholmimi Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung suleqatigalugit ingerlanneqarsimavoq… Ilisimatusarfik/University of Greenland 2020-imi novembarip decembarillu ingerlanerani nunanut allanut illersuinissamullu politiki pillugu Kalaallit Nunaanni innuttaasut isumasiorfigisimavaat. Tamanna Nuummi HS Analyse taavalu Stokholmimi Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung suleqatigalugit ingerlanneqarsimavoq. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Climate change leads to the deposition of substantial amounts of sediment along the coasts of Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) amid rapidly growing global demand for these resources. Yet, little is known about what the predominantly Inuit population of Kalaallit Nunaat thinks about adaptation opportunit… Climate change leads to the deposition of substantial amounts of sediment along the coasts of Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) amid rapidly growing global demand for these resources. Yet, little is known about what the predominantly Inuit population of Kalaallit Nunaat thinks about adaptation opportunities arising from the melt of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Here we conduct a nationally representative survey (N = 939) of Kalaallit (Greenlanders’) views on glacially derived sand extraction, finding that large majorities support extracting and exporting sand but oppose foreign involvement. This pattern of support persists at both the national and subnational levels. Public preferences largely align with Kalaallit Nunaat’s current mineral policy mandating environmental and economic impact assessments of new resource opportunities. In addition, those aware of human-caused climate change have significantly higher odds of both supporting sand extraction and prioritizing environmental impact assessment. Our results reveal broad support for domestically involved, environmentally assessed and economically appraised opportunistic adaptation to Greenland’s melting ice sheet and accumulating sand resources. Read more

Research | Forskning

Trap Grønland giver en omfattende og rigt illustreret, stedsspecifik viden om Grønlands natur og landskab, historie, kultur, samfunds- og erhvervsforhold samt byerne og bygderne. Rasmus Leander Nielsen har bidraget med afsnit om Grønlands selvstyre, politik og forvaltning (ca. 25 sider).

Research | Forskning - peer review

On 14 June 2022, an agreement between Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark, together with Greenland, resolved the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of Hans Island (which is known as Tartupaluk in Greenlandic) by creating a land boundary. We discuss the Whiskey War-ordeal and the recent bargai… On 14 June 2022, an agreement between Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark, together with Greenland, resolved the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of Hans Island (which is known as Tartupaluk in Greenlandic) by creating a land boundary. We discuss the Whiskey War-ordeal and the recent bargaining solution. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Hvad mener grønlænderne om de ændrede geopolitiske dynamikker i Arktis, udenrigs- og sikkerhedsmæssige udfordringer samt om forskellige internationale samarbejdspartnere? Disse og lignende spørgsmål bliver ofte stillet, men for første gang har vi data til at analysere et repræsentativt udsnit af den… Hvad mener grønlænderne om de ændrede geopolitiske dynamikker i Arktis, udenrigs- og sikkerhedsmæssige udfordringer samt om forskellige internationale samarbejdspartnere? Disse og lignende spørgsmål bliver ofte stillet, men for første gang har vi data til at analysere et repræsentativt udsnit af den grønlandske befolknings holdninger til den omverden, der i de senere år i højere og højere grad har rettet blikket mod Arktis og Grønland. Artiklen præsenterer og diskuterer de væsentligste fund fra en survey-undersøgelse foretaget ultimo 2020 med fokus på aktuelt trusselsbillede, grønlændernes syn på stormagterne og især internationale samarbejdspartnere og organisationer. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Kapitlet analyserer betydningen af de to EF-afstemninger i hhv. 1972 og 1982 i forhold til udviklingen af en grønlandsk udenrigspolitik.

Communication | Formidling

EU er for dårlig til at gøre opmærksom på sit bidrag til Grønland.

Research | Forskning - peer review

Rapporten viser, at den nuværende udvikling i Arktis, der er præget af stormagtsrivalisering mellem Rusland, Kina og USA, sætter Kongeriget i en svær situation. Som en lille stat har Kongeriget draget fordel af perioden med sikkerhedspolitisk lavspænding i Arktis. Den sikkerhedspolitiske lavspænding… Rapporten viser, at den nuværende udvikling i Arktis, der er præget af stormagtsrivalisering mellem Rusland, Kina og USA, sætter Kongeriget i en svær situation. Som en lille stat har Kongeriget draget fordel af perioden med sikkerhedspolitisk lavspænding i Arktis. Den sikkerhedspolitiske lavspænding er nu under pres. Det er i Kongerigets interesse at forsøge at værne om de arktiske fora og samarbejdsrelationer, der har gjort lavspændingen muligt. Kongeriget må imidlertid også forholde sig til de nye sikkerhedspolitiske dynamikker i Arktis. Dette skaber behov for ændrede tilgange både i forhold til stormagterne og deres interesser i Arktis og i forhold til samarbejdet i Rigsfællesskabet. Kongeriget må arbejde på at imødegå bekymrende russisk og kinesisk adfærd i Arktis. Endnu mere presserende for Kongeriget er imidlertid at håndtere de nylige amerikanske reaktioner på russisk og kinesisk adfærd i Arktis og ikke mindst de nye amerikanske krav og forventninger til dansk opgaveløsning i regionen, som følger med. Her bør Kongeriget handle hurtigt og proaktivt søge at holde kontrol med den amerikanske politik i forhold til Grønland og Færøerne. Det er i den forbindelse centralt, at Rigsfællesskabet formår at opretholde en fælles linje overfor stormagterne. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Grønland og EU har et helt specielt partnerskab, gentog begge parter i sommer under en række møder, hvor bl.a. Partnerskabsaftalen vedrørende uddannelse blev behandlet. Forholdet startede dog knap så smidigt, og i første halvdel af 1980’erne var skilsmissen en realitet.

Communication | Formidling

Kalaallit Nunaat aamma EU immikkuullarissumik suleqatigiipput, aasaanerani ataatsimiinnerni assigiinngitsuni tamanna suleqatigiilluarneq uteqqinneqarpoq, ilaatigut ilinniartitaanermut tunngasut suleqatigiissutiginissaanut isumaqatigiissut suliarineqarpoq. Pissutsit eqaatsumik aallartipput, 1980-ikku… Kalaallit Nunaat aamma EU immikkuullarissumik suleqatigiipput, aasaanerani ataatsimiinnerni assigiinngitsuni tamanna suleqatigiilluarneq uteqqinneqarpoq, ilaatigut ilinniartitaanermut tunngasut suleqatigiissutiginissaanut isumaqatigiissut suliarineqarpoq. Pissutsit eqaatsumik aallartipput, 1980-ikkullu qiteqqunneranni katissimasut avissinnaanerat piviusunngortinneqarluni. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

The literature on pre-electoral coalitions (PECs) still relies heavily on comparative statics to gauge whether a PEC is likely to form and/or its effects on government formation. However, less is known about the behavioural dynamics of PECs. The dynamics of the recent 2009 PEC between the Socialist… The literature on pre-electoral coalitions (PECs) still relies heavily on comparative statics to gauge whether a PEC is likely to form and/or its effects on government formation. However, less is known about the behavioural dynamics of PECs. The dynamics of the recent 2009 PEC between the Socialist People's Party and the Social Democrats in Denmark are assessed. Elaborating on the signalling hypothesis, it is argued that coalition members over time must show their ability to vote together in parliament in order to establish a credible commitment. Empirical support is found for this take on the signalling thesis. It was also found that the distance between the parties narrows before the formulation of the PEC, and distinct phases in the process are pointed to, which the authors coin ‘friendship’, ‘courting’, and ‘engagement’. Finally, alternative explanations are assessed and the question of which party of the PEC would have to change voting patterns in the inter-party coordination process in order to become 'office-fit' is addressed. It is concluded that PECs have a systematic effect on the members' parliamentary voting behaviour and that they serve as a preparatory signalling device for opposition parties with office ambitions. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Magasinet Europa sætter i denne e-bog fokus på Grønland og en række europa- og udenrigspolitiske problemstillinger i relation til verdens største ø.

Research | Forskning - peer review

The Danish Left and the Constitutional/Lisbon Treaty: not so sceptical after all.

Research | Forskning - peer review

The chapter comparatively analyses elite behaviour in the Constitutional Treaty Referendums.

Research | Forskning - peer review

Hvad kommer til at afgøre de kommende folkeafstemninger om de danske forbehold? Denne artikel argumenterer for, at vælgerne er rationelle, status quo-orienterede og opvejer fordele og ulemper ved det, de bliver spurgt om og især omkostninger ved at stemme Nej. Uden afgørende omkostninger forbundet m… Hvad kommer til at afgøre de kommende folkeafstemninger om de danske forbehold? Denne artikel argumenterer for, at vælgerne er rationelle, status quo-orienterede og opvejer fordele og ulemper ved det, de bliver spurgt om og især omkostninger ved at stemme Nej. Uden afgørende omkostninger forbundet med at stemme Nej kan det således blive vanskeligt for regeringen at vinde flere af afstemningerne. Read more

Research | Forskning

Theoretically, classic disputes between realists and liberalists about the nature of IR come to fore in contrasting Arctic Exceptionalism vs. the Security Dilemma. This paper discusses the merits of these two concepts in an Arctic context, but also dig deeper into the causal mechanisms of the concep… Theoretically, classic disputes between realists and liberalists about the nature of IR come to fore in contrasting Arctic Exceptionalism vs. the Security Dilemma. This paper discusses the merits of these two concepts in an Arctic context, but also dig deeper into the causal mechanisms of the concepts. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Large amounts of money are being transferred from Brussels to Nuuk. But the EU is not good enough at showing how much it contributes, so ordinary Greenlanders aren’t aware of this.

Research | Forskning

Nasiffik tassaavoq Ilisimatusarfimmi ilisimatusarnermik ingerlatsivik nutaaq, nunarsuarmi avatitsinniittut Kalaallit Nunaannik aamma Issittumik annertunerujartuinnartumik soqutiginnikkiartortunik nakkutiginninniartoq. Najukkamut attuumassuteqartumik issittoq aamma sillimaniarnermut politikki pillugu… Nasiffik tassaavoq Ilisimatusarfimmi ilisimatusarnermik ingerlatsivik nutaaq, nunarsuarmi avatitsinniittut Kalaallit Nunaannik aamma Issittumik annertunerujartuinnartumik soqutiginnikkiartortunik nakkutiginninniartoq. Najukkamut attuumassuteqartumik issittoq aamma sillimaniarnermut politikki pillugu ilisimatusarnermik ingerlatsivimmik pilersitsinermut siunertami pineqarpoq, katersuinissaq aamma ilisimasanik ineriartortitsinissaq ilaatigut aallartitaqarneq aamma Issittumi qasukkarsimaarnissaq pillugu naalagaaffiit pissaanillit allanngornerat taamatullu silaannaap pissusiata allanngoriartornera tunngavigalugit. Read more

Research | Forskning

Apriilip 28-anni 2023-mi Kalaallit Nunaanni inatsit tunngaviusussaq pillugu siunnersuummi ’Free Association’ toqqaannartumik eqqaaneqanngilaq. §44-mulli oqaaseqaatini tamakkiisumik oqartussaassutsimik tunniussinissaq nunani tamalaaniinnaanngitsoq aammali naalagaaffinni allani periarfissaalerpoq, as… Apriilip 28-anni 2023-mi Kalaallit Nunaanni inatsit tunngaviusussaq pillugu siunnersuummi ’Free Association’ toqqaannartumik eqqaaneqanngilaq. §44-mulli oqaaseqaatini tamakkiisumik oqartussaassutsimik tunniussinissaq nunani tamalaaniinnaanngitsoq aammali naalagaaffinni allani periarfissaalerpoq, assersuutigalugu ’Free Association’-imut tunngavissap iluani. §46-milu sillimaniarnermut illersornissamullu politikki pillugu suleqatigiinnissamut periarfissat – aporfissattaarli – allaatigineqarput. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis (Podcast): In the midst of intense international interest in Greenland, general elections have been called for March 11th, with potential geopolitical implications across a range of issues, including independence from the Kingdom of Denmark. To expla… Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis (Podcast): In the midst of intense international interest in Greenland, general elections have been called for March 11th, with potential geopolitical implications across a range of issues, including independence from the Kingdom of Denmark. To explain the stakes and dynamics of the upcoming election, and analyze regional security in the context of U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, joining the podcast is Dr. Rasmus Leander Nielsen, head of the Centre for Foreign & Security Policy at the University of Greenland in Nuuk. He also analyzes relations between Copenhagen and Nuuk, as well as Greenland’s geopolitical position and natural resources, which has attracted great interest not only from the United States but also from China and the European Union. In addition, Dr. Leander Nielsen discusses the Kingdom of Denmark’s upcoming chairship of the Arctic Council, where Greenland will play a leading role. Read more

Research | Forskning

Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis (Podcast): Two major international crises of recent years, Covid-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have had profound effects on Arctic governance. With Greenland now leading the newly-launched Kingdom of Denmark chairship of the Arctic Council… Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis (Podcast): Two major international crises of recent years, Covid-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have had profound effects on Arctic governance. With Greenland now leading the newly-launched Kingdom of Denmark chairship of the Arctic Council at a time of great geopolitical uncertainty, this episode explores the evolution of Greenlandic foreign policy through a lens of “crisis diplomacy” with Rasmus Leander Nielsen, associate professor and head of Nasiffik - the centre for foreign and security policy at the University of Greenland. Read more

Communication | Formidling

Liveoptagelse fra Akademiet LIVE 2025 i marts 2025 om grønlandsk (geo)politik efter valget.