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Trump's US Threat to Greenland (which belongs to Denmark)

I listened to this podcast series today:
Trumps spioner i Grønland (Jyllands-Posten, April 12, 2026)
Trump's spies in Greenland

For some reason, I have overlooked one of actors who appears to be involved in the planning and preparation of the U.S. invasion of Greenland, Andrew 'Drew' Horn, who was also somehow involved in the failed coup attempt and invasion of Venezuela in 2020, Operation Gideon (Wikipedia).
Alongside other actors mentioned in this thread, not least Jørgen Boassen and Thomas 'Tom' Dans, Drew Horn figures prominently in the podcast series.

Unfortunately, the podcast series is in both Danish and English and not easy to follow unless one is fairly fluent in both. However, it is easy to Google articles about Drew Horn + Greenland, many of them in Danish but some of them also in English. These are just a couple of them:
GreenMet CEO Drew Horn Highlights Strategic Vision for Greenland in KNR Interview Amid $120M EXIM Support for Tanbreez Project (GreenMet, June 23, 2025)
No, I'm not a CIA spy in Greenland (The Spectator, May 16, 2026)
Inside The Deadly Serious Plan To Take Over Greenland (Pulitzer Center, June 15, 2026)
 
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»Markant udvikling«: Amerikanernes interesse for forskning i Grønland daler (Videnskab.dk, Aug 19, 2026)
"Significant development": Americans' interest in research in Greenland is waning

Ny Arctic Hub rapport giver unikt overblik over forskning i Grønland (ArcticHub, Aug 19, 2026)
New Arctic Hub report provides unique overview of research in Greenland

I doubt that 'Americans' were ever interested in research in Greenland.
The waning US interest in research in Greenland is probably due to Trump's animosity towards climate science.
 
Værnepligtige i Grønland (Forsvaret.dk, Aug 18, 2026)
For første gang i nyere tid er værnepligtige sendt på øvelse til Grønland, hvor de skal øve og træne militære færdigheder i det uvante terræn, indgå i operative tjeneste under øvelsen Arctic Endurance og samarbejde med deres grønlandske kollegaer i Arktisk Basisuddannelse.
Conscripts in Greenland (Forsvaret.dk, Aug 18, 2026)
For the first time in recent times, conscripts have been sent on an exercise to Greenland where they'll practice and train military skills in the unfamiliar terrain, participate in operative duty during the exercise Arctic Endurance and collaborate with their Greenlandic colleagues in Arctic Basic Training.


It was not exactly big news in Denmark. This headline is a bit hyperbolic:
GREENLAND ‘WAR’ EXPLODES: Denmark Deploys Soldiers To Arctic In Surprise Move, Trump ‘Humiliated’ (Times of India, YouTube, Sep 4, 2026 – 7:14 min.)
Denmark has deployed conscript soldiers to Greenland for the first time in recent history, making a highly visible military move in the Arctic as tensions continue over President Donald Trump’s repeated push for the United States to acquire the strategically important territory.
The Danish troops are taking part in Exercise Arctic Endurance, training to operate across Greenland’s extreme terrain and climate. A Danish commander acknowledged that the deployment forms part of the “bigger picture” surrounding strategic communication about Greenland, while one soldier said it sends a message that “Denmark is reinforcing itself for the future.”


Trump Wants Greenland, Denmark Deploys Troops Amid Escalating Arctic Tensions (The Financial Express on YouTube, Sep 2, 2026 – 8 min.)
Donald Trump’s push for Greenland is triggering a major response from Denmark, with Copenhagen deploying troops as tensions rise in the Arctic. The growing dispute puts Greenland, Denmark and the United States at the center of a geopolitical showdown over sovereignty, security and control of the strategically important Arctic region. As Washington increases pressure, Denmark is signaling that it will defend its position and Greenland’s status.
 
Operation Arctic Endurance (Wikipedia)
Operation Arctic Endurance is a 2026 military exercise led by the Kingdom of Denmark in its autonomous territory of Greenland, officially to counter potential Russian activity.[6] Its real purpose was as a tripwire force to make any invasion politically costly, as a deterrent against the United States invading Greenland during the Greenland crisis, according to outside analysts and later sources in the Danish government and Danish and foreign militaries.[1][7][8][9][10]
 
Cheryl in Nova Scotia on bsky, Sep 6, 2026
Canada joins NATO allies for #ArcticShield exercise in Greenland – Eye on the ArcticCanada is training with French infantry units
Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Home Guard units
Belgian drone unit
Finnish and Danish special operation forces
/1 thread www.europesays.com/3231550/ 1/2
https://bsky.app/#

Canada joins NATO allies for Arctic Shield exercise in Greenland – Eye on the Arctic - EUROPE SAYS
A file photo of Danish soldiers during the Arctic Endurance exercise in Greenland. Canada will participate in Arctic Shield, another exercise under NATO’s

www.europesays.com

Cheryl in Nova Scotia on bsky, Sep 6, 2026
/2 Observer team and logistical support from Germany
Observer and liaison teams from Poland and Slovenia 2/2
 
Lukningstruet lufthavn i Grønland skal måske bruges af Nato (DR.dk, Sep 4, 2026)
Greenland airport facing closure may be used by NATO
In the spring, the airport in Narsarsuaq, Greenland, was set to close permanently after 85 years of operation.
However, the Government of Greenland and the Danish Ministry of Defence have now agreed to keep the airport open temporarily for one year to assess the needs of NATO and the Danish Armed Forces regarding the facility.
This was stated to Ritzau by Minister of Defence Jeppe Bruus (Social Democrats).
"This gives the government and Naalakkersuisut the opportunity—together with allies—to clarify the long-term requirements of the Danish Armed Forces, allies, and NATO regarding the use of Narsarsuaq Airport."
The extension comes with a grant of up to 45 million kroner from the Ministry of Defence to the Government of Greenland.

Amerikanske ingeniør-soldater med måleudstyr laver 'tekniske undersøgelser' i Grønland (DR.dk, Sep 18, 2026)
US Army engineers with surveying equipment are conducting 'technical surveys' in Greenland
Authorities will not say whether the surveys mean the US is preparing to open a military base in South Greenland.
This week, a group of American soldiers has surveyed and mapped the runway and other potential military base facilities at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland.
(...)
Four American soldiers are driving around on the runway with what looks like advanced measuring equipment or surveying instruments.
 
Donald J. Trump
@realDonald Trump

BREAKING NEWS: I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns.
There will be NO COST to the United States! At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America.
Additionally, from now on, no U.S. adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval.
For over 100 years, Presidents have known the strategic importance of Greenland, but NONE of them were able to do anything about it. I am proud to be the President that permanently and conclusively addressed this very important situation.
This is an "Infinite Life" Agreement, there is no end! We are very honored and proud of what has just taken place, and everything agreed to today will be cherished by the American People.
We will immediately begin the process of developing a large Military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland, of which there are many.
We will work with the people of Greenland in its development and construction.
This solution is a great one for the United States of America, Denmark, Greenland, and all of our Allies.
We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land. We will be very protective of it!
This is a dream come true for the United States of America, one that is very important, historic, and special.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!

President DONALD J. TRUMP
 
Donald J. Trump
@realDonald Trump

BREAKING NEWS: I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns.
There will be NO COST to the United States! At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America.
Additionally, from now on, no U.S. adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval.
For over 100 years, Presidents have known the strategic importance of Greenland, but NONE of them were able to do anything about it. I am proud to be the President that permanently and conclusively addressed this very important situation.
This is an "Infinite Life" Agreement, there is no end! We are very honored and proud of what has just taken place, and everything agreed to today will be cherished by the American People.
We will immediately begin the process of developing a large Military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland, of which there are many.
We will work with the people of Greenland in its development and construction.
This solution is a great one for the United States of America, Denmark, Greenland, and all of our Allies.
We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land. We will be very protective of it!
This is a dream come true for the United States of America, one that is very important, historic, and special.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!

President DONALD J. TRUMP
Reality bites in 10, 9, 8....
 
So exactly the same as what's already in place?

The US and Denmark have announced a deal on Greenland's security and say the agreement will be signed next week.

US President Donald Trump said the agreement would grant the US "permanent control over security, and all other needs".

Denmark's Prime Minister said the deal "strengthens security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic area" but did not address specifics in the agreement that Trump mentioned in a social media post.

The deal comes after months of threats by Trump to "take" Greenland over national security concerns, citing its strategic location for defence purposes and its mineral wealth.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the deal comes with "no cost to the United States" and will grant the US the ability to "to do what is necessary" to "secure and defend the security of Greenland".

He said the deal includes a rule that no US adversary can maintain a military presence in Greenland or "make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval".

 
From the US politics thread
Here’s a copy of the 1951 agreement on the Defence of Greenland.
Can’t find a copy of the new agreement.
<edit> ah, won’t be signed until next week - no draft has been published to date.

It will be interesting to see what Trump “won”.

I’m willing to bet not much was conceded by Greenland or Denmark over and above the original.
Trump’s track record so far is to threaten allies and enemies alike and then “negotiate” the same conditions of the original agreement/contract/whatever or, usually, to end up worse off.
 
LIVE: Danmark, Grønland og USA indgår aftale (DR.dk, Sep 19, 2026)
1 min. ago:
Men spørger man lektor ved Forsvarsakademiet Peter Viggo Jakobsen, så er det svært at få øje på, hvad det nye i aftalen er.
Det er på trods af, at aftalen ikke er offentliggjort, og at vi ikke kender detaljerne i indholdet.
- Tillykke Trump. Nu har du fået det, som du har haft siden 1950'erne, da baseaftalen blev underskrevet.
(...)
- Det er også korrekt, at amerikanerne ikke tillader, at andre magter har militær fodfæste i Grønland. Det accepterede Danmark, da vi solgte de dansk-vestindiske øer i starten af 1900-tallet, siger han.
- At amerikanerne så udlægger det som en sejr er han jo nødt til, for ellers havde det været helt sort, hvad han havde lavet.

Google translation:
However, according to Peter Viggo Jakobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, it is difficult to see what is new about the agreement.
This is despite the fact that the agreement has not been made public and the details of its content remain unknown.
- Congratulations, Trump. Now you have what you’ve had since the 1950s, when the base agreement was signed."
(...)
"It is also true that the Americans do not permit other powers to have a military foothold in Greenland. Denmark accepted this when we sold the Danish West Indies in the early 20th century," he says.
"As for the Americans framing it as a victory—well, he has to do that; otherwise, what he had done would have looked completely disastrous."
 
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