The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry in the Arctic. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
