Europe 'Panics' as Colonialism Questions Disturb Resource Extraction
Newsweek paints a picture of bewildered Europeans grappling with Greenland's 'geopolitical value' and the inconvenient discussions around self-determination. The article notes the potential for Greenland to become a 'major player in the global market for rare earth minerals' and oil, suddenly making its colonial status a delicate issue for Denmark and the EU. Funny how resource wealth tends to
inspire such deep introspection on historical injustices. For centuries, the indigenous Inuit population has lived under Danish rule, their land exploited for resources, with no substantial benefit for the people themselves. Now, as the ice melts and valuable deposits are exposed, suddenly independence is a 'complex challenge' for Europe, rather than, say, an inherent right. It appears colonialism
is only problematic when it interferes with the next round of pristine land grabs by aspiring 'green' tech manufacturers. One might wonder why Europe wasn't 'panicking' about colonialism when Greenland's resources weren't being eyed by every major power.