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Meeting

Open to Debate: Is U.S. Control of Limited Territory in Greenland a Strategic Necessity?

Event date


Speakers

  • Max Boot
    Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Senior Fellow for National Security Studies, Council on Foreign Relations (arguing no)
  • Alexander B. Gray
    Senior Fellow, American Foreign Policy Council; Former Deputy Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, National Security Council, The White House (2019-21) (arguing yes)
  • Michael Pillsbury
    Senior Advisor, President’s Office, The Heritage Foundation; CFR Member (arguing yes)
  • Kori Schake
    Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute; CFR Member (arguing no)

Presider

From National Security and Defense Program.

In a collaboration between CFR and Open to Debate, panelists examine the legal, strategic, and diplomatic implications of potential U.S. control over limited territory in Greenland. Supporters argue that securing a defined U.S. presence could be a strategic necessity, given Greenland’s geographic position, critical infrastructure, and growing Arctic competition with China and Russia. Critics contend that any expansion of U.S. territorial control would risk violating international law, seriously damage relations with Denmark and NATO allies, and erode norms the United States relies on for global stability. As Arctic competition accelerates, would limited U.S. territorial control in Greenland strengthen American security—or ultimately weaken it?

Open to Debate is the nation’s only nonpartisan, debate-driven media organization dedicated to bringing multiple viewpoints together for a constructive, balanced, respectful exchange of ideas. Open to Debate is a platform for intellectually curious and open-minded people to engage with others holding opposing views on complex issues.