Greenland Drama is Far From Over (The Roundup)
Greenland drama isn't over, rare earths are still hot + all the important stories you've missed (Feb 1, 2026)
👋 Welcome to A World Reconfigured - your guide to a world changed by climate, geopolitics and technology. I write about how climate change is creating a new world with new rules, and often cover topics like the ❄️Arctic, 🤷♂️Rare Earths and 💻Data Centers.
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Hi there folks!
So, I’m finally really back from vacation. I spent the last couple of weeks in India, combining work and some travel with my lovely wife.
India was amazing, mesmerizing and inspiring. I saw the depths of the transformation India is undergoing, and I plan on writing more about this topic in a new series I’m working on with a dear friend who is actually an expert on the topic.
At any rate, here are some pictures for you while you’re waiting:
While I was away, a lot of things happened: Trump threatened to take over Greenland and kind-of did a U-Turn; Davos 2026 spewed more important speeches than one can digest; China and Canada signed an EV deal; and extreme weather kept on pounding across the globe (except for India that is).
My obvious takeaway from this is never to go on vacation again. Or at least give you a warning.
But until I go again, here’s the roundup!
~ Arod
TL;DR
The Bigger Things
The Greenland Saga looks like it’s over, but people are still nervous (even the Penguins who are in Antarctica)
EU & India sign the mother of all deals (Trump doesn’t have a monopoly over bravado)
The Smaller Things
Rare Earths are still a big deal (I picked the right field to pretend I understand)
Data centers get a PR makeover, but still get pummeled in rural America (good time to suggest my vacant lot?)
In Other News: Lots of stuff
The Talk of the Town
Clawd, China’s AI Ecosystem, CoreWeave and more!
The Bigger Things
The biggest stories you probably missed:
The Greenland Saga Only Looks Like its Over
What Happened? After weeks of heightened tensions over Greenland between US and…Denmark (I can’t believe it’s a thing), Trump has finally announced a deal that would avoid a confrontation. Still, looks like everyone involved is still very nervous: Denmark’s king announced a visit to Greenland, while European powers are meeting with Denmark in preparation for negotiations.
Why Care? 🤷♂️ Because it’s not over until it’s over. Sure, there’s a path to a diplomatic resolution, but it seems like everyone is still pretty shaken by the whole ordeal, causing both European powers and the US to tread lightly.
My Take: ✍️ The Greenland story is far from over, and I suspect we will see more tensions around the island. It’s impossible to overstate how much rests on a good resolution of the topic, and we all know that Trump is anything but predictable.
EU & India Sign Mother of All Deals
What Happened? European Union and India signed the “mother of all deals”, a comprehensive agreement between the two powers that cuts the majority of tariffs on goods between the two, doubles exports by 2032 and create additional investment opportunities. Definitely a happy day for Kaja Kallas and Ursula von der Leyen.
Why Care? 🤷♂️ Because India and the EU are heeding Mark Carney’s call and effectively creating their own little club. But since they represent 25% of global GDP, it’s quite an effing club. This deal helps both sides reduce reliance on the US.
There’s also a decarbonization angle here: India will be subject to CBAM, but the EU will help India deal with it by investing 500M EUR to help India curb down emissions.
My Take: ✍️ I’ve written plenty about Europe’s dilemmas, and it seems like instead of relying on China more (it still kind of does), the EU is seeking a partnership with India to strengthen its economy. What a move!
The Smaller Things
The stories you should have on your radar:
Rare Earths Continue to Rock the Boat
What Happened: The Rare Earth market is still boiling hot: First, the Trump Administration is signaling future priorities on critical minerals and Rare Earths, with a shift away from price floors (the likes given to MP Materials) and a DOE realignment toward processing, capacity building and innovation.
At the same time, the Administration invested $1.5B in USA Rare Earth, a company that controls Heavy Rare Earths deposits, which are critical for defense applications.
Why Care? 🤷♂️ Because this might seem like small developments, but they are a part of a broader strategy employed by the US to build capacity and break free from China’s capabilities:
My Take: ✍️ While I’m not sure about moving away from price floors is a great idea (and ultimately, it is mostly motivated by lack of support from Congress), these moves address the right weaknesses in Western mineral capabilities.
I’m super excited about what is happening in this market, and it looks like the market is as well in general (not investment advice of course).
Hyperscalers Try to Rebrand Data Centers, but They Keep Dying in the US
What Happened: Data Centers evoke strong emotions on both sides of the Data Center Wars. They are also not very popular in the US. Meta is trying to change that with a $6M investment in ads and campaigns to rebrand data centers and extol their benefits to society (jobs, energy and the likes).
Meanwhile, as Heatmap News reports weekly, data centers keep on being rejected by communities across the US, including in Wisconsin and Georgia.
Why Care? 🤷♂️ Because the Data Center Wars are far from being over. They are only getting started, as both proponents and opponents of Data Centers keep trying to score points on the board.
My Take: ✍️ I still think operators and hyperscalers are going about this the wrong way. Want to build? Engage communities, be transparent, work with local officials. Buying ads is not going to cut it this time.
In Other News:
📰 10 countries have ganged up to build up to 100GW of wind power in the North Sea, while Trump walks back on Wind ban (oh hey that worked out well)
📰 EVs are having a killer week, as they outsold petrol cars in the EU for the first time, and are constantly expanding in the US under Trump, a new study shows (so… should I buy one or not?!)
📰 Michigan brought a new type of lawsuit against oil companies: Antitrust! 👉(should I coordinate a response?)
📰 South Africa experienced floods that were made worse by La Nina and Climate Change
📰 Ski Resorts are now using drones to help with plowing snow, while winter sports are trying to adapt to climate change. (New winter sports: Running away from climate change)
📰 China solar companies warn of a major demand slump (I’d love to help demand but ain’t got no money)
Talk of the Town:
I read way too much Linkedin, Twitter and Substack for my own good. Here are a few of my favorites this week:
✍️ Amanda van Dyke released her book, the Mining Imperative and shared her personal story. I’m a big fan of Amanda’s work and highly recommend it!
✍️ Matthew Jensen caught the Moltbot frenzy a minute before it went hot - kudos!
✍️ Wesley Wark showed how Minister Anand’s Arctic speech framed Russia as the primary threat while skirting hard choices on NATO, NORAD, and northern nation‑building in the Arctic.
✍️ Neural Foundry showed why CoreWeave matters less as a depreciation story and more as indispensable AI war infrastructure.
✍️ ChinaTalk explored how China’s generative AI ecosystem is fueled by the private sector
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this edition, don’t forget to subscribe or share your thoughts. 🔽
See you next week!