Officials stress that military action against a NATO ally would still technically be “defensive.”
Pentagon officials confirmed Wednesday that Greenland military options under active consideration include what one planner described as “liberation operations” against the Danish territory, though officials emphasized that any action against the NATO ally would be conducted “in a spirit of partnership.”
“Denmark is an ally,” one official acknowledged. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t have contingencies. Alliances are complicated. Sometimes you liberate your friends.”
When asked what Greenland would be liberated from, the official paused. “From Denmark. Who are our allies. But still.”
Greenland Military Options Under Review
Defense officials said planning has included assessments of Danish military presence on the island, which currently consists of approximately 60 personnel operating a dog sled patrol unit called the Sirius Patrol.
“Sixty troops is a token presence,” one planner noted. “Symbolic, really. It suggests Denmark isn’t serious about defense. We would be more serious.”
Asked whether overwhelming a 60-person dog sled unit would constitute a military achievement, officials said all operations require proper planning regardless of scale.
“You don’t underestimate any adversary,” one official said. “Even a symbolic one. Even a symbolic ally. Especially in Arctic conditions.”
The NATO Question
NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense provision would technically obligate the United States to defend Greenland against armed attack—including, legal experts note, an attack by the United States.
“Article 5 is complicated,” one official acknowledged. “We’d be obligated to defend Greenland from ourselves. Our lawyers are looking into that. There may be an exception for liberations conducted with good intentions.”
Officials said any operation would prioritize “minimal disruption” to the island’s 57,000 residents, all of whom are civilians.
“Civilian casualties would be extremely low,” one planner said. “Ideally zero. These are future Americans, after all. And we’d be liberating them. They just don’t know it yet.”
Danish officials have publicly opposed any transfer of sovereignty. Pentagon planners said this position has been “noted” but described it as “an opening bid.”
“Positions evolve,” one official said. “Especially when you see the alternative.”
Developing.
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