According to Denmark’s public broadcaster DR, Danish forces had, weeks before the US escalated its war with Iran, prepared contingency plans for a possible American move to take control of Greenland. These plans reportedly included destroying airport runways to block US aircraft and stockpiling blood supplies to treat casualties. The preparations were kept highly confidential and were based on information from multiple senior sources within the Danish government, military, and allied European countries.
Support for Denmark reportedly came from nations including France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. Troops from these countries were deployed to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, and to the airport at Kangerlussuaq, while Danish aircraft and a French naval vessel were positioned in the North Atlantic. Although officially described as part of joint military drills named Operation Arctic Endurance, the deployments were reportedly intended to deter any potential US action.
The tensions stem in part from Trump’s repeated statements expressing interest in acquiring Greenland, which he has described as strategically important. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory under Denmark, and both countries are members of the NATO. Concerns escalated further after a US military operation in Venezuela resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, followed by Trump’s remarks suggesting he would address Greenland next.
Following these developments, European officials reportedly began treating the possibility of US action more seriously, prompting coordinated defensive preparations. A European official later told the Financial Times that several countries rallied in support of Denmark after Trump’s comments.
The situation has raised broader concerns about relations within NATO. US Representative Mike Levin criticized the developments, stating that allied nations had effectively prepared for a scenario in which they might have to confront American forces. He emphasized that such actions reflected a significant erosion of trust among long-standing partners.
At the same time, the United States has reportedly struggled to secure backing from allies for its actions in the Middle East. NATO members declined to support US operations in the Persian Gulf, and key partners such as Japan and Australia also refrained from deploying naval forces, despite disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
Critics argue that the conflict has been driven by external pressures and describe it as unnecessary, with some in the United States referring to it as “Trump’s war.” The fact that a smaller NATO member like Denmark considered defensive measures against the US highlights the extent of the strain in alliances.
Although Trump later stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he would not use force regarding Greenland and instead called for negotiations, analysts suggest that the episode has already impacted America’s global standing—from the Arctic region to the Middle East—amid the continuing conflict with Iran.
