Key Takeaways
- US plans to re-establish a Cold War-era military base in southern Greenland.
- Another base will be set up on the east coast, currently used by the Danish dog sled patrol.
- The agreement will be signed by Denmark, Greenland, and the US at the UN General Assembly.
The United States is set to establish two new military bases in Greenland, according to sources familiar with the matter. The plans include re-opening a Cold War-era base in southern Greenland and setting up a new outpost on the east coast, currently used by the Danish dog sled patrol.
The new bases will be established under a deal to be signed with Denmark and Greenland at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. ET (1430 GMT).
The agreement, which has not been made public, will secure and defend the security of Greenland and the United States, according to a White House spokesperson.
Denmark and Greenland are expected to sign the agreement alongside the US, with the deal placing Arctic security under the watch of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The move follows months of pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has long expressed interest in controlling Greenland and has not ruled out military or economic force to acquire the territory.
Despite Trump’s threats, which peaked in January, an overwhelming majority of Greenlanders have rejected the idea, according to polling data.
During the Cold War, the US maintained 17 military installations and more than 10,000 personnel in Greenland. Today, only Pituffik Space Base remains, with around 150 US military personnel.
Denmark says the agreement will put Arctic security under NATO’s watch, rather than leaving it solely to the US and Denmark.
