Americano Is the Greenland drama a new Suez crisis?
14 snips
Jan 19, 2026 
Join Jacob Heilbrunn, Editor of The National Interest and foreign policy expert, alongside David Whitehouse, science journalist and former BBC Science Editor, as they delve into Donald Trump's controversial Greenland annexation proposal. They explore Greenland's crucial role in missile defense and Arctic shipping routes amid rising tensions with Russia and China. The conversation touches on the implications for NATO, the geopolitical landscape, and the future of US military strategy in the Arctic, rousing questions about global security dynamics.
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Greenland's Strategic Radar Advantage
- Greenland sits on the flight path of many Russian ICBMs, making it strategically vital for early warning and tracking systems.
- David Whitehouse argues Greenland's radar and polar-orbit satellite nexus give the US crucial detection and timing advantages.
Ownership vs Operational Access
- The US already enjoys extensive operational rights at Thule/Pafutnik under Danish agreements without owning Greenland outright.
- Whitehouse says Denmark would likely permit expanded US bases and facilities, reducing the practical need for annexation.
Greenland Could Fracture NATO
- Jacob Heilbrunn warns Trump’s Greenland push risks splintering NATO by alienating European allies.
- He suggests Russian media even encourages the move because it would disrupt Western cohesion over Ukraine.