Reykjavík Grapevine - 19.07.2019, Blaðsíða 13

The United States and Iceland have a
long and colourful history together.
Icelandic emigrants have been going to
the United States since at least the 19th
century, and the US returned the favour
by occupying Iceland during World
War II, establishing a base in Keflavík
around the time of Iceland’s entry into
NATO in 1949.
While the base formally closed
in 2006, US military staff never
completely left—so-called “submarine
listeners” are amongst those who have
remained—and the Pentagon has been
budgeting for greater development of
the base. At the same time, certain key
US politicians, at the highest levels of
the American government, have either
visited or are preparing to visit Iceland.
What gives?
Arctic oil rush
First, US Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo paid a visit to Iceland in
February 2018. This visit proved to be
more than just a diplomatic photo op
for Mike and his Icelandic equivalent,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Guðlaugur
Þór Þórðarson. Rather, it coincided
with Iceland’s preparations to take over
the Arctic Council chairmanship from
Finland.
This is important, as there are vast
reserves of oil, gas and minerals in
the Arctic that have sparked territo-
rial disputes, most notably between
Russia, China and European Arctic
nations. The US State Department has
been quick to side with its NATO ally
Iceland, saying in a statement that the
US “is committed to a strong, united,
and capable transatlantic alliance
rooted in the principles of common
defense, democracy, and fundamental
freedoms.”
And now Pence
Less obvious is the purpose behind US
Vice President Mike Pence’s reported
wish to visit Iceland in September.
While nothing is yet confirmed, the
Icelandic government is reportedly
making preparations, and sources close
to MBL have stated that the visit may
mark a new phase in US-Icelandic rela-
tions.
That “new phase” may indeed have
a lot to do with Iceland’s strategic
position in both the Arctic and the
North Atlantic, especially as tensions
with Russia grow. Indeed, the specific
line-item budgeting the Pentagon has
made for the Keflavík base all point to
increased combat readiness.
The US then may hope Iceland can
prove a vital launching point in a fight
with Russia, whether over fossil fuels
or military supremacy. Knowing for
certain ahead of time may prove diffi-
cult when dealing with the notoriously
tight-lipped American forces, but the
truth may come to light soon enough.
Stay tuned.
Words: Andie
Fontaine
Photo:
US State Dpt.
All these American dignitaries suddenly showing up is freaking us out a bit
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13 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 12— 2019
US Politicians
Visiting Iceland
Why? Thank the Cold War 2.0