Article UK seeks to bolster military in Greenland and the Arctic (frigid fashions)

[C C]

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/uk-see...ic-4163240

EXCEPTS: The UK is working with Nato allies to bolster security in the Arctic, which would include Greenland, in the face of increased threats in the region from Russia and China.

Ministers and officials refused to be drawn on whether British personnel would be specifically sent to Greenland, but insisted that the Arctic Circle and High North remain a priority for the UK and Nato allies.

It comes amid growing threats from Donald Trump that he wants control of the island and has not ruled out using force to seize the semi-autonomous Danish territory. The US President believes the island is vital to America’s security, warning that both Moscow and Beijing could seek to take the land without US intervention.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said discussions about securing the High North against Russia and China were part of Nato’s “business as usual” rather than a response to the US military threat.

[...] She said the UK agreed with Trump that the Arctic Circle “is becoming an increasingly contested part of the world with the ambitions of [Vladimir] Putin and China”.

[...] The US President has said he wants to get control over Greenland, which has a strategic location and natural resources, and “if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way”.

But former UK ambassador to the US, Lord Mandelson, said he did not believe Trump would use the military against a Nato ally. “President Trump is not going to land on Greenland, take Greenland by force,” he said.

“He’s not a fool. What’s going to happen is there’s going to be a lot of discussion, a lot of consultation, a lot of negotiation and at the end of the day, we are all going to have to wake up to the reality that the Arctic needs securing against China and Russia. And if you ask me who is going to lead in that effort to secure, we all know, don’t we, that it’s going to be the United States.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: [...] “If Trump is serious about security, he’d agree to participate and drop his outrageous threats. Tearing the Nato alliance apart would only play into the hands of Putin.” (MORE - details)

[Syne]

Yes, other NATO countries need to be paying more to secure Greenland and the Northwest Passage. If the US is footing the lion's share, we deserve to get more out of the deal. We're not the world's charity.

[stryder]

What a load of horse shit. From the US's perspective the only potential threat would be Russia, but what would they do? Launch an invasion force?

Be serious. Invading an island (navigable all the way around) with a small civilian population thats located only in one part of it means it would be a suicide mission for anyone trying to take and hold the location. There would be limited civilian causalities if strikes were launched at any occupying force.

Thats also why it doesn't make any sense to station huge numbers of personnel there either or expensive weaponry.

By all means having more Ships, Aircraft and the capacity to shift things there if need be, but there is no point wasting money or resources on it's defense at the level Trump has attempted to panic people.

[Syne]

Then you won't mind picking up the full bill for it.

[stryder]

Then you won't mind picking up the full bill for it.

Actually Syne, it's your Round.

[Syne]

No, we've been paying all along.