Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
