What Happens When The World Starts Paying Closer Attention?

For decades, Iceland has thrived by staying small, steady, and out of the spotlight — a bridge between continents, a quiet leader in renewable energy, and a model of resilient democracy. But the Arctic is changing fast, and so is the world’s attention. With global powers eyeing Greenland and jockeying for influence in the region, Iceland’s strategic location is suddenly a prize and a pressure point. The question ahead isn’t whether Iceland matters — it’s who will shape its future, and on whose terms. Ish Sveinsson Houle with Reykjavik Grapevine has the full story.