Defense & Aerospace Report Jan 16, ’26 Washington Roundtable]
Jan 16, 2026
Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon Europe chief, and Dov Zakheim, a former Pentagon comptroller, delve into the implications of U.S. appropriations on national security and potential shutdown risks. They analyze recent Senate votes affecting war powers, the geopolitical significance of Greenland, and NATO's evolving role. Townsend discusses the legacy of the Cold War in the Arctic and the shifting European security landscape. Zakheim assesses Iran's internal turmoil and U.S. diplomatic strategies, emphasizing the need for allied cooperation in a competitive global arena.
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Allies' Greenland Deployment Is A Strategic Tripwire
- NATO partners deployed small advanced teams to Greenland as a preparatory tripwire, not a full exercise.
- Allies aim to scope defending Greenland and send a warning signal to Washington.
Greenland's U.S. Footprint Was Historically Limited
- The Cold War-era U.S. footprint in Greenland was much smaller than popular maps suggest.
- Thule remains, while other radar and air bases were closed or tiny facilities after the Cold War.
Claims Of Heavy Chinese/Russian Presence Are Overstated
- Current Chinese or Russian naval activity around Greenland is overstated in public rhetoric.
- Chinese ships appear only rarely and usually to signal with Russia, not to establish sustained presence.