‘We don’t want to be Americans’: Greenland pushback amid US talk over talk. But how? – Firstpost

The US exercises supremacy and is the powerhouse of military, weapons, artillery, leadership, and immense power. There is nothing which could prevent the US from acquiring Denmark and taking over Greenland. Also the US enjoys sweeping military access in Greenland after the 1951 Cold War agreement.  

US exercises heavy military back  

In the present state, the US has at least 100 military personnel stationed at its Pituffik base in the Arctic island. Trump can simply surge the number of personnel on the island under the treaty with Denmark to capture the territory.

Trump has been continuously threatening Denmark and Denmark is taking Trump’s threats seriously. The Mette Frederiksen-led government has warned that its troops were under standing orders to “shoot first and ask questions later” if Greenland was attacked by the US.

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It is part of a 1952 military directive that still remains in force. Under it, Danish forces have the freedom to counter-attack invading troops without awaiting formal orders from commanders or the government. Moreover, the Danish defence minister also stated Denmark would spend $13.8 billion to rearm Greenland.

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Denmark at 45 in arms race 

According to Global Firepower rankings, the US is at the top of the chart in terms of military power. Denmark is ranked at 45. The US has 1.3 million military personnel, compared to the rest of the Nato alliance’s collective 2.1 million personnel.

Officials from Denmark, Greenland and the United States met Thursday in Washington and will meet again next week to discuss a renewed push by the White House, which is considering a range of options, including the use of military force, to acquire the island.

We don’t want to be part of America 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an American takeover of Greenland would mark the end of Nato, and Greenlanders say they don’t want to become part of the US.  

Denmark’s air capabilities are also limited and are no match for the strength of the US. The Danish Air Force has around 3,000 personnel and operates roughly 118 aircraft. By comparison, the US deployed a larger number of aircraft, around 150, during its Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela, where it captured President Nicolas Maduro.

Greenland is also the result of decades of neglect by several US presidents towards Washington’s position in the Arctic.

US dominance over air 

US air power alone could dominate the skies within hours. US F-35 Lighting II and F/A-18 fighter jets operating from a single Nimitz-class aircraft carrier would likely be sufficient to establish air superiority, according to experts.

After Maduro’s capture, Trump is in full capture mode which has posed a threat to Greenland and could also lead to the island’s national security.  

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