Deutsche Welle’s documentary on Greenland’s rising geopolitical importance
Munich, February 13, 2026 – The second day of the Munich Security Conference opens with a cinematic focus on one of the most strategically significant—and often overlooked—territories of our time: Greenland. At 5:30 p.m. (CET), the Gloria Palast will host the screening of “Why the US and Europe are battling for Greenland’s future”, a documentary presented in cooperation with Deutsche Welle.
The film explores Greenland’s growing geopolitical importance as the Arctic becomes an increasingly contested region. With melting ice caps opening new shipping routes and access to untapped natural resources, the island has emerged as a key strategic asset in military, economic, and energy terms. The United States and Europe are intensifying their engagement in the region, each seeking greater influence in what is rapidly becoming a central arena of 21st-century geopolitics.
Yet the documentary goes beyond great-power competition. It also highlights Greenland’s own political aspirations, including its pursuit of greater autonomy and self-determination within the Kingdom of Denmark. Caught between global strategic interests and local identity, Greenland stands at the intersection of climate change, resource politics, and shifting international alliances.
The screening is part of MSC Cinema, a special program running from February 12–15, 2026, alongside the Munich Security Conference. The initiative presents an exclusive series of films addressing current geopolitical crises and conflicts. By combining powerful cinema with expert discussions and public dialogue, MSC Cinema aims to deepen understanding of urgent global challenges and foster meaningful exchanges among political leaders, policymakers, analysts, and the wider public.
Admission is free of charge, but prior registration is required.
Location: Gloria Palast, Karlsplatz 5, 80335 Munich.
At a time when global security is increasingly shaped by developments in the Arctic, this documentary offers a timely and compelling perspective on why Greenland’ has become a focal point in the evolving balance of global power.
Grzegorz Szymanowski is a freelance journalist based in Berlin, contributing to Deutsche Welle and other international media. He specializes in TV reporting and investigative journalism on geopolitical issues, human rights, and conflicts, producing in-depth articles and reports for a global audience.
Lisa Hänel is a journalist at Deutsche Welle (DW), specializing in German politics and society, with a focus on topics such as antisemitism and democracy education. She began her career in online and video journalism at the news agency dpa and the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and has been with DW since 2017. She has also lived in countries including Japan, Canada, and South Korea, experiences that have broadened her professional perspective and strengthened her commitment to quality journalism.
From 13 to 15 February 2026, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) will once again bring together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, experts, and representatives of civil society to discuss the most pressing challenges to international security.
On this occasion, Gianluca Costantini will follow the conference through a live illustrated reportage on social networks. Drawing in real time, Costantini will translate key moments, debates, and atmospheres of the MSC into images, offering a visual narrative that runs alongside the political discussion.
His live-drawing practice turns complex geopolitical themes into an immediate and accessible visual language, capturing not only statements and concepts, but also tensions, gestures, and the human dimension of global decision-making.
Through this illustrated live coverage, the Munich Security Conference will be observed from a unique perspective — where art, journalism, and international affairs intersect.
To contact the illustrator: email
Download high-resolution drawings: Link
The drawings of the Munich Security Conference 2025 | Gallery
