The Rest Is Classified: Episode 22 - Why Trump Wants Greenland: Secret Bases, The Arctic Circle, and Project Iceworm (Ep 1)
Release Date: February 24, 2025
Hosts: David McCloskey and Gordon Corera
Introduction: Trump’s Greenland Ambition
In the inaugural episode of The Rest Is Classified, hosts David McCloskey and Gordon Corera delve into the enigmatic interest former President Donald Trump has shown in Greenland. They unpack the strategic significance of Greenland, exploring its historical and contemporary relevance to U.S. national security and global geopolitics.
Historical Context and Strategic Geography
David McCloskey introduces Greenland's pivotal role in global strategy, emphasizing its geographical position:
“Greenland is kind of the Alaska of the Atlantic. It’s a beachhead that sticks way up north into the Arctic and provides hemispheric defense for our eastern seaboard.”
[06:29]
Gordon Corera adds to this by comparing Greenland to other strategic locations, highlighting its overlooked importance:
“Diego Garcia, the Chagos Islands, are another example of a place which seems incredibly remote but is actually strategically important.”
[06:55]
They discuss how the warming Arctic has opened new shipping lanes and made Greenland’s natural resources more accessible, intensifying global interest and competition, particularly from Russia and China.
Cold War Significance: The Thule Air Base
The conversation shifts to the Cold War era, where Greenland emerged as a critical location for U.S. military strategy.
David McCloskey explains the establishment of the Thule Air Base:
“In 1951, the U.S. signed a deal to build a base in Tula (Thule), placing it at the very top of the world.”
[12:21]
Gordon Corera elaborates on the base's purpose in the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS):
“In 1961, the U.S. built a huge radar at Thule to detect Soviet missile launches and bombers, part of the BMEWS designed to provide early warning of World War III threats.”
[14:11]
They highlight how Thule was integral to the Iron Triangle, alongside radar sites in Alaska and Yorkshire, forming a comprehensive surveillance network against Soviet threats.
Project Iceworm and the Broken Arrow Incident
One of the episode’s focal points is the clandestine Project Iceworm and the subsequent Broken Arrow incident involving a B-52 crash.
Gordon Corera narrates the construction and eventual abandonment of Camp Century:
“In 1959, the U.S. built Camp Century, an under-ice base designed to house a secret network of nuclear missiles, but it was abandoned in 1966 due to the ice crushing the structures.”
[21:35]
The hosts then recount the 1968 Junkie 14 mission, a high-stakes Cold War operation that ended in disaster.
David McCloskey sets the scene of the mission:
“On January 21, 1968, Junkie 14, a B-52 on a Chrome Dome mission, encountered severe technical failures over Greenland.”
[28:36]
Gordon Corera provides a vivid account of the mission’s breakdown:
“The autopilot wasn’t working, leading to manual refueling that drenched the pilots in sweat. A fire broke out from a combustible seat cushion near a heating vent, engulfing the lower deck and forcing an emergency bailout.”
[30:47]
The incident culminated in the crash of the plane carrying four hydrogen bombs, marking one of the Cold War’s most perilous Broken Arrow events.
David McCloskey reflects on the aftermath:
“A Broken Arrow incident like this raises profound nuclear safety concerns and underscores Greenland's strategic volatility.”
[36:14]
Connecting the Past to Present-Day Geopolitics
The hosts bridge historical events to current geopolitical dynamics, particularly Trump’s interest in Greenland.
David McCloskey posits that Trump’s push to purchase Greenland isn’t merely an eccentric bid but rooted in deep strategic imperatives:
“By scratching below the surface of Trump’s proposal, we uncover significant strategic interests the U.S. and allied nations have in Greenland, especially concerning Arctic sovereignty and resource acquisition.”
[05:02]
Gordon Corera reinforces the ongoing strategic value of Greenland amid rising Arctic interests:
“With climate change making the Arctic more accessible, Greenland’s critical minerals and strategic position make it a coveted asset for global powers like the U.S., Russia, and China.”
[06:55]
They suggest that understanding Greenland's historical military significance provides clarity on why it remains a focal point in contemporary international relations.
Closing Thoughts and Teaser for Next Episode
As the episode concludes, McCloskey and Corera tease the exploration of the mysterious fate of the missing nuclear weapons from the 1968 crash, promising to unravel how this incident continues to influence geopolitical strategies today.
“Join us next time as we uncover what happened to these bombs and how this 1960s incident illuminates Trump’s modern-day obsession with Greenland.”
[37:28]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
David McCloskey: “Greenland is kind of the Alaska of the Atlantic. It’s a beachhead that sticks way up north into the Arctic and provides hemispheric defense for our eastern seaboard.”
[06:29] -
Gordon Corera: “Diego Garcia, the Chagos Islands, are another example of a place which seems incredibly remote but is actually strategically important.”
[06:55] -
David McCloskey: “By scratching below the surface of Trump’s proposal, we uncover significant strategic interests the U.S. and allied nations have in Greenland, especially concerning Arctic sovereignty and resource acquisition.”
[05:02] -
Gordon Corera: “In 1961, the U.S. built a huge radar at Thule to detect Soviet missile launches and bombers, part of the BMEWS designed to provide early warning of World War III threats.”
[14:11] -
David McCloskey: “A Broken Arrow incident like this raises profound nuclear safety concerns and underscores Greenland's strategic volatility.”
[36:14]
Conclusion
Episode 22 of The Rest Is Classified masterfully interweaves historical espionage, Cold War tensions, and modern geopolitical strategies to shed light on why Greenland remains a coveted asset on the global stage. Through engaging narratives and expert insights, McCloskey and Corera provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the clandestine forces shaping international relations.