Article Greenland ploy still not rousing Europe to take defending itself seriously? (E style)

[C C]

Europe vows to defend Greenland from Trump. UK sends 1 soldier, Finland 2, Norway 2
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/gr...2026-01-19

EXCERPTS: Trump has been goading the US's European allies all this while to commit more money, commit more forces. The number of troops being committed to Greenland's defence reveals Europe's military seriousness. It was only after the Russia-Ukraine war that some of the NATO countries started bolstering their military capabilities.

[...] So it can be concluded that Arctic Endurance is for all intents a military exercise to probe the feasibility of future military deployments by European nations. As for what kind of troops have been deployed to Greenland so far, Denmark has been the largest contributor. The country already has around 150 troops stationed in Greenland under the command of its Joint Arctic Command.

[...] Alongside Denmark, France, as reported by BFM TV, sent a contingent of 15 soldiers drawn from its 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade, with French President Emmanuel Macron stating that "an initial team of French soldiers is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days by land, air and sea assets."

Germany contributed a contingent of 13 soldiers as part of a reconnaissance team drawn from the Bundeswehr, the German Armed Forces, as reported by the German newspaper, Bild. The Norwegian defence minister, Tore Sandvik confirmed to Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang that the country had dispatched two military personnel to take part in Arctic Endurance.

Similarly, the Netherlands and Finland have also dispatched two soldiers each to take part in the operation, with Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans stating to Dutch broadcaster NOS that more personnel would likely be sent to Greenland on a short-term basis. Meanwhile, the UK has sent one military officer to Greenland, at Denmark's request. Sweden also dispatched a number of troops as announced by its Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on X, although the number remains unspecified.

This brings the total number of European troops deployed to Greenland's defence, apart from the Danish troops already stationed there, to an awe-inspiring estimated 37. Poland, Turkey and Italy, which field some of the most powerful militaries in Nato, have abstained from deploying troops to Greenland...

[...] Operation Arctic Endurance is not aimed at defending Greenland but serves as a reconnaissance mission to assess the feasibility of larger troop deployments if needed in the future. According to the Danish Armed Forces, it involves exercise activities to enhance military presence with allies, focusing on Arctic operations and security.

[...] That said, is Europe, or Nato minus the US, capable of defending its sovereignty against armed aggression? Post-Cold War, European militaries slashed budgets, assuming no large wars in the future and relying on US military prowess. According to the Strategic Studies Institute, spending cuts from the Cold War's end until Russia's 2014 Ukraine invasion reduced Europe's military capacities.

This complacency persisted despite US demands during Trump's first administration for Nato allies to meet spending targets. According to BBC News, Trump urged allies to pay their fair share in 2017. The continent was rudely awakened when Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which exposed its unpreparedness for long attritional wars without US aid, as Trump's administration signalled disinterest in European defence.

According to a study by the German Council on Foreign Relations, Europe would struggle to deploy even 50,000 troops in the event of a war. Meanwhile, according to multiple media reports, Ukraine and Russia have deployed at least half a million troops each.

[...] Europe remains incapable of independent defence against continental threats. According to Reuters, the US has set a 2027 deadline for Europe to lead Nato's conventional capabilities, with the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimating at least $1 trillion would have to be spent to replace US capabilities.

[...] "Si vis pacem, para bellum" is a Latin adage often attributed to a writer within the Roman Empire to describe the empire's military stance. It roughly translates to: If you want peace, prepare for war. However, for many of the nations that now comprise the vast lands of that ancient empire, it seems this lesson might have been learnt only too late. It could be a reconnaissance mission to Greenland, but coming against the threat from Trump, the commitment of a handful of soldiers shows continental Europe's seriousness to matters of defence... (MORE - missing details)

RELATED (scivillage): Why Trump will get Greenland: Europe is too weak to fight?

[Zinjanthropos]

Europe vows to defend Greenland from Trump. UK sends 1 soldier, Finland 2, Norway 2
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/gr...2026-01-19

EXCERPTS: Trump has been goading the US's European allies all this while to commit more money, commit more forces. The number of troops being committed to Greenland's defence reveals Europe's military seriousness. It was only after the Russia-Ukraine war that some of the NATO countries started bolstering their military capabilities.

[...] So it can be concluded that Arctic Endurance is for all intents a military exercise to probe the feasibility of future military deployments by European nations. As for what kind of troops have been deployed to Greenland so far, Denmark has been the largest contributor. The country already has around 150 troops stationed in Greenland under the command of its Joint Arctic Command.

[...] Alongside Denmark, France, as reported by BFM TV, sent a contingent of 15 soldiers drawn from its 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade, with French President Emmanuel Macron stating that "an initial team of French soldiers is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days by land, air and sea assets."

Germany contributed a contingent of 13 soldiers as part of a reconnaissance team drawn from the Bundeswehr, the German Armed Forces, as reported by the German newspaper, Bild. The Norwegian defence minister, Tore Sandvik confirmed to Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang that the country had dispatched two military personnel to take part in Arctic Endurance.

Similarly, the Netherlands and Finland have also dispatched two soldiers each to take part in the operation, with Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans stating to Dutch broadcaster NOS that more personnel would likely be sent to Greenland on a short-term basis. Meanwhile, the UK has sent one military officer to Greenland, at Denmark's request. Sweden also dispatched a number of troops as announced by its Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on X, although the number remains unspecified.

This brings the total number of European troops deployed to Greenland's defence, apart from the Danish troops already stationed there, to an awe-inspiring estimated 37. Poland, Turkey and Italy, which field some of the most powerful militaries in Nato, have abstained from deploying troops to Greenland...

[...] Operation Arctic Endurance is not aimed at defending Greenland but serves as a reconnaissance mission to assess the feasibility of larger troop deployments if needed in the future. According to the Danish Armed Forces, it involves exercise activities to enhance military presence with allies, focusing on Arctic operations and security.

[...] That said, is Europe, or Nato minus the US, capable of defending its sovereignty against armed aggression? Post-Cold War, European militaries slashed budgets, assuming no large wars in the future and relying on US military prowess. According to the Strategic Studies Institute, spending cuts from the Cold War's end until Russia's 2014 Ukraine invasion reduced Europe's military capacities.

This complacency persisted despite US demands during Trump's first administration for Nato allies to meet spending targets. According to BBC News, Trump urged allies to pay their fair share in 2017. The continent was rudely awakened when Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which exposed its unpreparedness for long attritional wars without US aid, as Trump's administration signalled disinterest in European defence.

According to a study by the German Council on Foreign Relations, Europe would struggle to deploy even 50,000 troops in the event of a war. Meanwhile, according to multiple media reports, Ukraine and Russia have deployed at least half a million troops each.

[...] Europe remains incapable of independent defence against continental threats. According to Reuters, the US has set a 2027 deadline for Europe to lead Nato's conventional capabilities, with the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimating at least $1 trillion would have to be spent to replace US capabilities.

[...] "Si vis pacem, para bellum" is a Latin adage often attributed to a writer within the Roman Empire to describe the empire's military stance. It roughly translates to: If you want peace, prepare for war. However, for many of the nations that now comprise the vast lands of that ancient empire, it seems this lesson might have been learnt only too late. It could be a reconnaissance mission to Greenland, but coming against the threat from Trump, the commitment of a handful of soldiers shows continental Europe's seriousness to matters of defence... (MORE - missing details)

RELATED (scivillage): Why Trump will get Greenland: Europe is too weak to fight?

Why couldn’t Trump just ask Denmark to set up a few military bases in Greenland? Or maybe he already did. Does the USA pay Denmark to be present in Greenland?

I like the Donald but enuf already. I get it, he’s doing his job as he thinks it but hope doesn’t backfire on our neighbour to the south. Is Trump starting to sound like a chest thumping Mussolini? Is Trump blaming the national debt on the countries who don’t pay for US protection?

[Syne]

The US pays to operate a US base and stationed troops in Greenland, just as we've paid the lion's share for bases protecting countries worldwide.
The problem with relying on Denmark, or any Europeans, to defend Greenland is that they are largely leftists who would sell out to China if they thought that would benefit them. Hell, they're still buying oil from Russia, funding the Ukraine war. No people who can be trusted with the security of the western hemisphere, which isn't on their doorstep.