The United States is making a push to take control of Greenland, a move that has drawn criticism from Denmark and the island's residents. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his desire for the US to own the island, citing strategic security interests and business opportunities.
However, the prospects for the US taking control of Greenland through military force are murky at best. NATO would likely be plunged into crisis if the US were to forcibly take control of the island, and it's unclear how the remaining members of the alliance would respond.
Instead, officials from the US, Denmark, and Greenland are exploring alternative options, including signing bilateral agreements that would give the US a greater say in security matters on the island. One potential option is for the US to gain veto power over security decisions made by the Greenlandic government, similar to the Compact of Free Association with Pacific island nations.
However, Greenlanders have repeatedly expressed their desire for independence and do not want to become part of the US. Influence operations aimed at persuading them to join the US are unlikely to succeed, given the small size of the community and the language barrier.
Even if the US were to take control of Greenland, it would likely come with a significant cost. The island's residents currently enjoy Danish citizenship and access to the welfare system, which would need to be replicated in order to provide the same level of support for the new American residents.
In the end, it seems unlikely that Denmark will agree to update the defense agreement with a "gold-plated signature," as suggested by expert Ulrik Pram Gad. The US president is likely to continue using Greenland as a distraction from domestic problems, and the island remains a contentious issue in US-Denmark relations.
The future of Greenland's relationship with the US remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: any attempt to take control of the island through military force would be met with significant opposition from Denmark and potentially other NATO allies.
However, the prospects for the US taking control of Greenland through military force are murky at best. NATO would likely be plunged into crisis if the US were to forcibly take control of the island, and it's unclear how the remaining members of the alliance would respond.
Instead, officials from the US, Denmark, and Greenland are exploring alternative options, including signing bilateral agreements that would give the US a greater say in security matters on the island. One potential option is for the US to gain veto power over security decisions made by the Greenlandic government, similar to the Compact of Free Association with Pacific island nations.
However, Greenlanders have repeatedly expressed their desire for independence and do not want to become part of the US. Influence operations aimed at persuading them to join the US are unlikely to succeed, given the small size of the community and the language barrier.
Even if the US were to take control of Greenland, it would likely come with a significant cost. The island's residents currently enjoy Danish citizenship and access to the welfare system, which would need to be replicated in order to provide the same level of support for the new American residents.
In the end, it seems unlikely that Denmark will agree to update the defense agreement with a "gold-plated signature," as suggested by expert Ulrik Pram Gad. The US president is likely to continue using Greenland as a distraction from domestic problems, and the island remains a contentious issue in US-Denmark relations.
The future of Greenland's relationship with the US remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: any attempt to take control of the island through military force would be met with significant opposition from Denmark and potentially other NATO allies.