Greenland: Misusing “intelligence” to justify aggression

Written by: (Contributed) on 18 January 2026

 

Statements from leading European sources have revealed the Trump administration has been relying upon flawed intelligence assessments to justify its claims on Greenland.

The situation has arisen in the context of a changing geo-strategic balance of forces in the wider Arctic region; US preoccupation with Greenland has revealed the limited range and capacity of sensitive regional surveillance systems used by the Pentagon to provide intelligence data for analysis.

The US has seriously misrepresented the situation. In fact, they have weakened their own diplomatic position with their chosen method of operation of diplomatic bravado.

A recent high-level diplomatic statement from the White House that Greenland had serious security problems due to it being 'covered with Russian and Chinese ships', raised an immediate response from several Western European and Scandinavian countries. (1) The US has relied upon sensitive military facilities based near Thule on the southern coastline of Baffin Bay, facing the Davis Strait, for regional intelligence assessments; the Pituffik Space Base has been described as a 'regional hub' for US operations, including the P-Mountain radar and signals base. (2)

While considered extremely sensitive, the US military facilities are a mere shadow of their range and capacity during the previous Cold War. At their height of operations, they had 6000 military personnel stationed in the facilities. Due to technological advances and defence department cut-backs they now only house about 150 personnel. (3)

While technological advances have increased range and capacity of sensitive military equipment, accurate intelligence assessments rely upon personal judgements from reliable data; they also require trusted 'ground human' feet on the ground to back up the spies in the sky. (4)  The US facilities in Greenland have been shown to possess serious deficiencies in their most vulnerable areas; that of providing accurate intelligence assessments. The US also experience similar problems, elsewhere. (5)

In fact, European diplomatic sources have revealed that 'the alliance had no intelligence that there was significant activity by Russian or Chinese vessels or submarines around Greenland … it is not correct that there is a lot of activity from Russia or China around Greenland'. (6) European diplomatic sources have clearly been able to access more accurate intelligence reports from localised and reliable sources either from Greenland residents or counterparts elsewhere.

The official US diplomatic position, nevertheless, remains adamant that 'the acquisition of Greenland is a national security priority, citing Russian and Chinese threats'. (7)

It is important to note, however, that the whole Arctic region, in recent years, has undergone a changing balance of forces; joint military co-operation between Russia and China has presented a serious challenge to traditional US hegemony. Due to global warming, furthermore, the vast Arctic region is slowly thawing, exposing 'key natural resources, and the navigation of northern sea-routes. (8)  

The US appears not to distinguish between perceived security threats to Greenland and problems emerging in the wider region. It has revealed a serious intelligence problem.

It is generally accepted that both Russia and China retain an active presence in the Arctic region; but that, 'neither claims Greenland'. (9) 

European countries have accepted the need for greater diplomatic attention to be placed on the Arctic region; statements from well-placed sources have agreed that 'the Arctic will only become more strategically important ... and that the region is … the front line for strategic competition'. (10) NATO countries have also agreed that 'Arctic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities' need to be expanded. (11)

In conclusion, it is, therefore, important to note: the Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielson, recently stated, following a round of high-level diplomatic talks with the US, that ‘one thing must be clear to everyone. Greenland does not want to be owned by the US. Greenland does not want to be governed by the US. Greenland does not want to be part of the US'. (12)

The people of Greenland have already chosen to remain under the security umbrella provided by Denmark and NATO countries and sovereignty of their natural resources, despite threats from the Trump administration.
          
It is also important to note that the US remains highly unpopular in Greenland. In March, last year, for example, vice-president JD Vance, visited the country. He was met with organised protests from a large section of the country's tiny population and only visited the US military facilities. It was subsequently noted that his visit was, 'uninvited … and he … did not mingle with local residents'. (13) No official response was given by the White House.

The people of Greenland should be applauded for their courageous anti-imperialist position toward the Trump administration and the US!

1.     NATO trio back guard mission for Greenland,  Australian, 13 January 2026.
2.     Wikipedia: Pituffik Space Base.
3.     Ibid.
4.     See: The Clandestine Mentality. The CIA and the cult of intelligence, Victor Marchetti and John D. Marks, Part 3, Chapter 8, pp. 273-320.      
5.     See: 'We have very strong military options', Australian, 13 January 2026; and,  'Blackouts undermined by 'tech partisans', Australian, 16 January 2026, which has information about the Pentagon using Space X Starlink internet terminals in an attempt to retain effective contact inside global troublespots.
6.     Australian, op.cit., 13 January 2026.
7.     Under Trump's icy glare, Australian, 16 January 2026.
8.     The expanding footprint of China in the Arctic region, The Explainer, 22 June 2025; and, NATO's Europe: Commander sees growing Russia, Chinese threat in Arctic, Europe: Defence News, 13 January 2026.
9.     Greenland to pick Denmark over US takeover, Australian, 15 January 2026.
10.   Europe: Defence News, op.cit., 13 January 2026.
11.   Ibid.
12.   Australian, op.cit., 15 January 2026.
13.   Ibid.

Greenland: Trump talks tough but Vance comes a cropper

 Written by: (Contributed) on 9 April 2025

 

(Above: US Pituffik Space Base)

Information about Australia providing Canada with a sophisticated long-range radar facility for Arctic defence and security provision has coincided with members of the Trump presidential administration making spectacles of themselves with outrageous territorial claims to Greenland.

It has not proved coincidental; nor has the official visit of US vice-president Vance and other high-level associates to US military facilities in Greenland.

In fact, a major anti-imperialist struggle is already taking place in Greenland; its people appear determined to defend their sovereignty and raw materials and resources.

Studies of the previous Cold War appear highly relevant for our understanding of the present one!

In late March the Canadian government announced they were buying a Jindalee-Over-the-Horizon Radar (JORN) facility from Australia. (1) The JORN facility has a 3,000 kms range and functions by bouncing radar signals off the electricity charged layer in the upper atmosphere known as the ionospehre; it is used to detect aircraft and ships entering sensitive areas. (2)

The move followed US concerns about the defence and security of the Arctic region. The US, for example, has a long history of using Canadian facilities for 'US interests' due to their lower profile overseas, together with other members of the elite intelligence-sharing Five Eyes facilities, including Australia. (3) Canadian military facilities also conduct extensive monitoring bases in numerous countries. (4)

Global warming and climate change has created the conditions whereby the uppermost region is warming at almost four times the rate experienced by the rest of the world; alternative shipping lanes are being created through what were once frozen wastelands and access to rare earth minerals is becoming likely, sooner rather than later. (5)

With China having global control of rare earths, the US has entered panic mode and seek to gain control of Greenland to access their raw materials and resources; it is little other than old-style neo-colonialism, reminiscent of the previous Cold War, being played-out in the present age.

The Trump administration have taken the matter so seriously that vice-president J.D. Vance’s wife Usha, a US-born Indian Hindu, was despatched to Greenland on a charm offensive. (5a) She announced that she was there for three days by invitation, which was promptly denied by Greenland authorities.  It turned out that the invitation was from American Daybreak, a virtually unknown U.S. organization founded by Trump-aligned investor and former government official Thomas Emanuel Dans. (5b) Knowing of the US penchant for running dogs, the Greenland resident had invited the Second Lady to the Avannaata Qimussersua dogsled race beginning March 29. However, public opposition to her presence saw her three-day visit cut back to one day, (6) when husband Vance, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright flew in, also at the invitation of Dans, to visit the US Pituffik Space Base 1500 kms north of the capital. (7) The northernmost US military facility is used for missile warnings, missile defence and space surveillance.

Studies of US military facilities from the previous Cold War have revealed official and non-official uses, including intelligence-gathering and covert operations. (8) There is no reason to believe the Trump administration has behaved any differently toward Greenland than previous Washington administrations, which has explained the high-profile composition of the US diplomatic delegation.

Over a decade ago the Pentagon expanded their Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) 'into a spy service focused on emerging threats and more closely aligned with the CIA'. (9) The US preoccupation with defence and security provision would, nevertheless, appear more focussed upon neo-colonial acquisition of Greenland's raw materials and resources, and preventing other countries from developing diplomatic links with Nuuk to become competitors with the US.

Further evidence to support the view was contained in an official media release following the US diplomatic debacle with Greenland. It noted the Trump administration were considering using their military bases for processing 'critical minerals for national security … and … Danish officials have told US counterparts they would be open to more American military facilities on the islands and mining contracts for US companies'. (10)

Interestingly, the official position of the Australian government and Canberra was released in a formal media statement. It noted that the Trump administration was 'irrational … and … that the Trump administration have embarked upon a course to abuse and anger the people of Greenland'. (11) Further commentary also noted 'Australia is happy to haggle on minerals'. (12)

The brazen interference by US imperialism in Greenland has seen the new government state that it will strengthen ties with China.  On March 28, 2025, four Greenlandic parties signed a new coalition agreement to establish a new autonomous government. Vivian Motzfeldt, the incoming foreign minister of Greenland's new autonomous government, told Xinhua that strengthening ties with China will be one of her priorities. She expressed interest in deepening cooperation with China in areas such as trade, fisheries, and sustainable development while highlighting the potential for a free trade agreement between the two sides. (13)

Just where Canada’s purchase of the JORN system fits into all of this will become clearer in time. Trump’s tariff war on Canada may well frustrate any immediate access to the facility.

Canada, Greenland, Australia – all need an independent foreign policy.

 
1.     Canada trumps US in buying our $6.5 bn radar system, Australian, 20 March 2025.
2.     Ibid.
3.     Spyworld, How C.S.E. spies on Canadians and the World, Mike Frost as told to Michael Gratton, (Toronto, 1995), page 14, page 35, page 40; and, Playboy Interview, Philip Agee – candid conversation, Playboy Magazine, (United States), August 1975, pp. 49-166.
4.     Canada, The Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Espionage Spies and Secrets, Richard M. Bennett, (London, 2002), pp. 45-46.
5.     US 'going to have to have' Greenland, Australian, 28 March 2025; and, Greens and present land: Diplomatic battle is hotting up for control of the Arctic, Australian, 27 March 2025.
5a.  Usha Vance suffers fresh humiliation in Greenland
5b. Obscure U.S. group 'American Daybreak' central to controversial Greenland visit - ArcticToday
6.     See: Greenland fury and confusion at 'aggressive' US, Australian, 27 March 2025.
7.     Australian, op.cit., 28 March 2025.
8.     See: The Role of the Bases, A.   Counter-insurgency and the US Bases, B.   Springboards for Intervention in other countries, The Bases of our Insecurity, Roland G. Simbulan, (Manila, 1983), pp. 169-216.
9.     See: Pentagon plays the spy game, The Guardian Weekly (U.K.), 7 December 2012.
10.   Minerals the ultimate bargaining chip, Australian, 7 April 2025.
11.   Vance blunders in Greenland, Editorial, Australian, 31 March 2025.
12.   Australian, op.cit., 7 April 2025.
13. Greenlandic political leaders looks to enhance cooperation with China-Xinhua

 

Greenland: The United States and its isolationist path

Written by: Alan Jackson on 12 January 2025

 

Greenland: Inuit, and not for sale or takeover.   Source: Flickr Commons

With the expansion of counter-hegemonic imperialist powers, Russia and most notably China, America is rapidly on the decline and racing to fascism as it tries to consolidate its position at the top of Imperialist domination especially against its enemies in the same market of exploitation.

On Tuesday, the 7th of January, with less than two weeks before taking office, Donald Trump has gone full mask off once again for American Imperialism in a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. Although this is not the only time Trump has been so honest about his, or rather the ruling class of America’s plan for the world, this press conference was especially isolationist and Imperialist in its rhetoric. 

First off Trump declared military action will be used if necessary to take control of both Greenland and the Panama Canal. While doing this we learnt the one thing Trump knows about ex-president Jimmy Carter, in his words, “The Panama Canal is a disgrace, what took place at the Panama Canal. Jimmy Carter gave it to them (Panama) for $1, and they were supposed to treat us well. I thought it was a terrible thing to do,”. (1.) Along with this Trump also humbly declared that the Gulf of Mexico should be changed to the “Gulf of America”. (2.) it doesn’t end here though. Trump also repeatedly declared that America’s settler-colonial neighbour to the north, Canada, should become the 51st state of the United Settler-Colonial States of America! What a roll. 

Now, let’s try and examine why Trump felt so compelled to go on an hour and a half rant that sounds like America reclaiming ‘Manifest Destiny’ from Germany for itself. While doing this we will also try to explain the historical conditions behind these decisions and the importance of the areas that America has their claws out for.

Greenland’s history, much like Australia’s, is very much a history of settler-colonialism. Greenland and its indigenous population the Inuit, made up of three major indigenous populations, have been subjected to colonialism and neo-colonialism by Denmark for centuries. Blaringly a showcase of this colonialism is that although being an autonomous part of Denmark rated 2nd for the happiest country in the world by the World Population Review (3.), Greenland has the world’s largest suicide rate. (4.) Outside of Denmark due to both its important geographical position and abundant resources Greenland has been at the grabs from keen-handed Imperialists the world over, most notably, America, Russia and China. The United States has had military presence in Greenland since WWII (5.) and has had Trump again earlier in 2019 trying to buy Greenland due to its importance. (6.) America trying to purchase Greenland has been consistent for decades, since even 1946. (7.) This is representative of the fact that Americas imperialist ambitions have been present and loud since long before Trump and that Trump is not the “great man” in Americas Imperialist past and future ambitions, Trump is merely the great puppet of the American capitalist ruling class. 

The importance of Greenland geopolitically, as I mentioned previously, is not one sided and not lost on the minds of the other great Imperialist power, China. Chinas interest has been recent but nonetheless is clear with visits from Chinas Minister of Land and Resources to the purchasing of stock in Greenland Minerals and Energy which develops a Uranium and rare-earth site at Kuannersuisut (Kvanefjeld). (8.) Both the US and China have been competing by proxy through two Australian mining companies most notably Greenland Minerals Australia’s holding company and Ironbark in extracting many valuable resources from Greenland for the competing Imperialist powers. (9.) this case is quite similar to Chinas export of finance capital through Australian mining companies in Africa. 

What is clear is why Greenland is so valued by the Imperialist powers. The problem is that it contains an indigenous population which does not wish to be dominated by Imperialism. The Inuit have not had the right of self-determination of their own country and have had to suffer the subjugation of colonial powers for hundreds of years. America, China and not even Denmark have the right to determine who controls Greenland, this right belongs to Greenland and its masses.

The posturing and absurdity of Donald Trump in his most recent press conference, let alone the history of imperialism and how It continues today, puts a clear cut through the idea and the relied upon verbiage from the ruling class of a rules-based order. There is no rules-based order, there is only Imperialism and its necessity for profit seeking abroad and the slicing up of the globe into outposts of Imperialism. There is only one rule, and it is profit. This is the inevitability of a capitalist society in its dying stages. The only solution is the scientific solution.

The only solution is the struggle of the world’s masses against Imperialism for Socialism and independence. Nothing else can bring humanity forward. 

 

Sources – 

(1.)  - Donald Trump Mar-a-Lago press conference. 7th January 2024. 

(2.)  - Donald Trump Mar-a-Lago press conference. 7th January 2024.

(3.) - Happiest Countries in the World 2024 

(4.) - Greenland Has The World's Highest Suicide Rate, And Teenage Boys Are Especially Vulnerable : Goats and Soda : NPR

(5.) - Greenland, Denmark, and U.S. Relations

(6.) - Greenland, Denmark, and U.S. Relations

(7.) - Greenland: what is China doing there and why? | Presence before power

(8.) -Greenland: what is China doing there and why? | Presence before power

(9.) - Australia, China, and US in the Greenland Precious Metals Rush - Resource Erectors