The Smerconish Podcast America Bought Alaska — Should Greenland Be Next?
Jan 14, 2026
The idea of the U.S. buying Greenland stirs debate. Sparked by Senator Fetterman’s comments, discussions evolve around strategic and historical implications. Former NATO commander Admiral Stavridis emphasizes Greenland's significance amid rising global tensions. Can cooperation or purchase replace conquest? Insights into the geopolitical stakes involving China, Russia, and climate change reveal why Greenland’s future matters to Americans today. The poll invites listeners to weigh in on this bold proposal.
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Greenland's Growing Strategic Importance
- Greenland's strategic value is rising due to Arctic warming, mineral access, and great-power competition.
- Admiral James Stavridis argues U.S. influence there could be crucial without military conquest.
Immediate Diplomatic Fallout
- High-level diplomatic meetings followed Fetterman's comments, showing the issue's immediate diplomatic sensitivity.
- The White House hosted Danish and Greenlandic officials amid tensions over the U.S. push.
Pursue Cooperation Before Acquisition
- Prefer diplomatic cooperation and bolstered association over seizure to increase U.S. influence in Greenland.
- Explore purchase only if Greenland and Denmark are willing, avoiding military options.