Annexing Greenland Would Be a Strategic Catastrophe

Casey Michel: “Consider the immediate fallout of the U.S. announcing in the not-too-distant future that it was annexing Greenland. Domestically, little would change; as an American territory, Greenland would only receive nonvoting representation in Congress, and little more. Internationally, however, the reactions would be swift, destabilizing, and wildly detrimental to American interests and influence.”

“The quickest response would come out of Denmark, and out of Europe more broadly. Danish officials have been unequivocal in their opposition to Trump’s threats. But if and when an American flag rises over Nuuk, U.S.-Danish relations—that is, America’s links with one of its closest European allies—would immediately shatter. While Denmark would hardly offer an armed response, European nations would close ranks in support of Danish partners. More importantly, NATO would be, for all intents and purposes, dead.”