Posted on Jan 17, 2026
NATO nations send scouting teams to Greenland amid US annexation talk
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TRUMPS MASTER CHESS MOVE: First it was getting the NATO members to increase their GDP funding percentage of their military. Now I see them deploying their respective military forces to Greenland to plug a large strategic hole in NATO's defensive posture.
PERSONAL HISTORY: In the late 1970's and early 1980's I was a company grade infantry officer in the USAR 187th Infantry Brigade whose war deployment mission to occupy and defend Iceland and Greenland. We sent "teams" to both to assess and develop war plans over the years while enjoying the hospitality of the Icelanders and Greenlanders.
Our bottom line assessment was that we needed some sort of permanent base to at least stage equipment and supplies necessary to defend Greenland and Iceland. The potential threats and risks were real but what was missing was strong NATO support and in particular Denmark did some serious foot dragging. None of this was "Top Secret" but not out there as part of the common news cycle.
In the end, at best, we could get one of our USAR Infantry battalions on station within 2 weeks and that would be too little to late.
CURRENT THINKING: I am glad to see President Trump is stirring the geopolitical pot and getting our NATO allies to see the strategic importance of Greenland. They just might start doing what they should have done back in the 1980's when it was easier to secure the key terrain. I only hope it is NOT too little too late.
PERSONAL HISTORY: In the late 1970's and early 1980's I was a company grade infantry officer in the USAR 187th Infantry Brigade whose war deployment mission to occupy and defend Iceland and Greenland. We sent "teams" to both to assess and develop war plans over the years while enjoying the hospitality of the Icelanders and Greenlanders.
Our bottom line assessment was that we needed some sort of permanent base to at least stage equipment and supplies necessary to defend Greenland and Iceland. The potential threats and risks were real but what was missing was strong NATO support and in particular Denmark did some serious foot dragging. None of this was "Top Secret" but not out there as part of the common news cycle.
In the end, at best, we could get one of our USAR Infantry battalions on station within 2 weeks and that would be too little to late.
CURRENT THINKING: I am glad to see President Trump is stirring the geopolitical pot and getting our NATO allies to see the strategic importance of Greenland. They just might start doing what they should have done back in the 1980's when it was easier to secure the key terrain. I only hope it is NOT too little too late.
NATO nations send scouting teams to Greenland amid US annexation talk
Posted from defensenews.com
Greenland
Posted 3 d ago
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If the US actually decides to take military action to acquire Greenland, then we'll bump against Article 5. Rather than NATO supporting us, they'll be our enemy. That doesn't strike me as a "master chess" move. It strikes me as being ill-advised. This could result in the US being PNGed from NATO, which is not in our best interest. Greenland was more than happy to give us permanent bases there. That doesn't seem to be the issue.
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Personally, I think Trump got exactly what he wanted with all the hot air around Greenland. An involved NATO.
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