A retired US army general, known for advising Donald Trump on military matters, has shared insights into the president’s true intentions regarding Greenland amidst escalating tensions.
Contrary to an official White House statement hinting at potential military actions to acquire Greenland, retired US general Jack Keane believes that the mentioned threats of using the US military were merely a strategic move to pressure the Danish government. Keane asserts that Trump has not seriously contemplated physically seizing Greenland through military force.
In a podcast interview on The Times’s The General and the Journalist, Keane explained that the president’s approach, including intimidation tactics and threats, is aimed at eventually striking a security deal between the United States and Greenland to reach an agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Denmark to explore various options, including a potential purchase of the 836,330-square-mile island located approximately 2,000 miles off the American coast.
While there are suggestions that Trump is determined to secure the resource-rich island by any means necessary, including deploying US troops, senior Republican senator Mitch McConnell criticized the president’s aggressive negotiation style, calling it unproductive and inappropriate.
Jack Keane, a former US Army vice-chief of staff, disclosed that he turned down offers to serve as Trump’s defense secretary but agreed to informally advise the president on defense issues multiple times per week. He cautioned against a potential invasion of Greenland, citing legal limitations on executive actions.
Despite concerns raised by various commentators, including Trump supporter Ben Shapiro, about the relevance of international law, Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller emphasized the importance of strength, force, and power in global governance.
Discussions around a possible US invasion of Denmark’s semi-autonomous territory have sparked debate, with Miller suggesting minimal military resistance against such a move. However, NATO leaders and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have strongly opposed any hostile actions towards Greenland, warning of severe consequences for the alliance.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the future of Greenland should be determined solely by Denmark and Greenland, highlighting the island’s autonomy under Danish oversight and the presence of the US Space Force on the island.
The island, with a population of around 57,000 residents, has had significant autonomy since 1979, with defense and foreign affairs still under Copenhagen’s control. The US Space Force maintains a presence on the island through the Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, where approximately 200 personnel are stationed permanently.