President Trump recognizes that in the age of satellites and cyberspace, physical control of strategic locations remains critical.
Greenland is important because of its untapped natural resources. Because its location commands the Arctic Circle. As the ice melts, North America is gaining new frontiers in Russia, prompting a necessary review of U.S. security in the contested region.
Greenland is important, but how the United States talks about Greenland is even more important for American interests around the world.
It is important to remember that Greenland is already fundamentally safe. Denmark, which controls the autonomous island's defense policy, is already a NATO ally of the US military and a long-time friend of the US military. maintain a presence The island and the Danes tend to support expanding its role. Greenland's local parliament is similarly open to economic and military cooperation with Washington.
Greenland has no interest in becoming an Arctic outpost for the Russian military. There is also no reason to believe that Chinese companies will be preferred over Chinese companies as they seek to develop mineral reserves.
Greenland's hatred of Russia and skepticism towards China is not an accident of history. That sentiment is rooted in Western values that influence the geopolitical outlook. Greenland's goodwill toward the United States is based on the shared nature of these values and its trust in the restrained exercise of American power.
The willingness to use coercive force undermines that trust and the trust that underpins the most powerful network of alliances in history.
An American alliance is possible. Because this country is the first great power in history without territorial ambitions. Historical powers, from Rome to the Ottoman Empire to the British, habitually sought control over the territories of others.
American history is not free from these pursuits, but for nearly 80 years our nation has existed at the height of its power without seeking new territory. Any suggestion that the United States abandon its restrained view of the use of power would reduce our influence abroad and destabilize our alliances.
American interests in Greenland show how important those alliances are. Through NATO, the United States can deter Russia in Greenland, which has limited military capabilities on the island. As long as Russia believes that the United States and Europe will fight to protect NATO territory, Russian action to seize Greenland is unthinkable.
Economically, the exploitation of Greenland's resources is only possible due to peaceful conditions encouraged by the American alliance. These alliances have discouraged armed conflict between major powers for 80 years. They benefit by sparing the American people the fear of major conflict and creating a world in which commerce can grow.
The existence of our alliance, so important to the world as we know it, depends on the belief by other nations that our country can be trusted with power.
Rather than appealing to Denmark's goodwill, President Trump's rhetoric traps the United States in a cycle of increasing coercion. As countries become more distrustful of American power, each becomes less inclined to voluntarily acquiesce to our interests. If these interests are important enough, the United States has no choice but to overcome their silence by threatening consequences to achieve our objectives.
Coercion will replace existing systems based on trust and goodwill, and countries will inevitably seek new international arrangements that balance American coercive power. This will weaken the United States as it enters a critical stage in its competition with Russia and China.
How the United States talks about Greenland, and how it talks about other strategic locations like the Panama Canal, strengthens or undermines networks of international alliances.
Greenland is important to U.S. security, but it is just one of many concerns in a complex world. Any attempt to change the status quo in Greenland would be extremely counterproductive while undermining the trust that makes the system of alliances possible. It is also unnecessary because Denmark is ready to respond to America's strategic needs.
US President Trump's proposal May use coercive measures There is nothing to change the terms of Greenland that the United States does not already have. At the same time, it risks placing America's hard-earned image as a benevolent force and weakening the trust that underpins our alliance.
It lacks trust, weakens alliances, and in order to achieve its objectives, the United States will have to become something it has never been before. This not only sacrifices the moral high ground, but also makes America less safe than it has been in 80 years.
Colin Pascal is a retired Army lieutenant colonel and military intelligence officer. He filled most of his 20-year military career in strategic intelligence assignments, including supporting NATO and the international military coalition in the Middle East. He is a graduate student in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, DC.
