As Donald Trump threatens to use the U.S. military to seize Greenland, European officials and diplomats have started quietly airing a previously unsayable thought: What would it look like to fight back?
They cannot actually fight the US military, but if the alliance is already broken, they can threaten to cut off military cooperation. They can withdraw permission for the United States to use bases on European territory to project power far from home, and they can also stop buying tens of billions of dollars worth of American weapons every year.
The big risk, some officials say, is that such a blunt challenge would rapidly escalate into a full-blown rupture in the transatlantic relationship. Others argue that the alliance is increasingly toxic under Trump and that Europe needs to move on.
96-62 on
Are you sure the EU cannot fight the US military? Even if true, will that prevent it from happening? Danish soldiers have orders to shoot first.
Epeic on
Selling all treasury bonds would be enough actually.
hikingandtravel on
I would still favor the US military over Europe in a conflict over Greenland, however the cost involved for the US to score such a victory would be far far higher than I think most Americans realize. Much of the Northern European military’s (mainly the Nordic and Baltic states) are very much used to and train in the type of environment a conflict on Greenland would create. American troops who have been operating in the Middle East for the past 3 decades would experience quite the shock at the comparative conditions of Greenland. I can’t imagine American soldiers from Texas or California will acclimate well in an arctic climate. Furthermore there always seems to be an bit of a defenders advantage in conflict, if the US is fighting more for global hegemony and Europe is fighting for their own sovereignty, that is a situation that gives Europe a massive advantage. I still do believe the US has the ability to take Greenland by force if they so choose, however the current administration must understand that the costs of doing so would potentially be catastrophic and would be a Pyrrhic victory at best. I don’t see the US taking Greenland by military action and not greatly suffering economically and diplomatically.
Stendecca on
Announce that Greenland is under France/UK nuclear protection. Problem solved.
strawmangva on
There are us bases everywhere in Europe . If it happens the us army can just move to capture their capitals
6 Comments
(Submission Statement)
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As Donald Trump threatens to use the U.S. military to seize Greenland, European officials and diplomats have started quietly airing a previously unsayable thought: What would it look like to fight back?
They cannot actually fight the US military, but if the alliance is already broken, they can threaten to cut off military cooperation. They can withdraw permission for the United States to use bases on European territory to project power far from home, and they can also stop buying tens of billions of dollars worth of American weapons every year.
The big risk, some officials say, is that such a blunt challenge would rapidly escalate into a full-blown rupture in the transatlantic relationship. Others argue that the alliance is increasingly toxic under Trump and that Europe needs to move on.
Are you sure the EU cannot fight the US military? Even if true, will that prevent it from happening? Danish soldiers have orders to shoot first.
Selling all treasury bonds would be enough actually.
I would still favor the US military over Europe in a conflict over Greenland, however the cost involved for the US to score such a victory would be far far higher than I think most Americans realize. Much of the Northern European military’s (mainly the Nordic and Baltic states) are very much used to and train in the type of environment a conflict on Greenland would create. American troops who have been operating in the Middle East for the past 3 decades would experience quite the shock at the comparative conditions of Greenland. I can’t imagine American soldiers from Texas or California will acclimate well in an arctic climate. Furthermore there always seems to be an bit of a defenders advantage in conflict, if the US is fighting more for global hegemony and Europe is fighting for their own sovereignty, that is a situation that gives Europe a massive advantage. I still do believe the US has the ability to take Greenland by force if they so choose, however the current administration must understand that the costs of doing so would potentially be catastrophic and would be a Pyrrhic victory at best. I don’t see the US taking Greenland by military action and not greatly suffering economically and diplomatically.
Announce that Greenland is under France/UK nuclear protection. Problem solved.
There are us bases everywhere in Europe . If it happens the us army can just move to capture their capitals