US President Donald Trump has ordered America’s special forces commanders to prepare a plan for a possible invasion of Greenland. According to a report by The Mail on Sunday (11th January), the directive has triggered serious concern within the US military and among American allies, with senior generals strongly opposing the idea.

Sources familiar with the matter say Trump asked the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to draw up the invasion plan. However, the proposal has run into resistance from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who believe such an operation would be illegal and would not receive approval from the US Congress.

Hardline advisers pushing aggressive moves

The push for action on Greenland is reportedly coming from hardline policy advisers around Trump, led by political adviser Stephen Miller. These officials are said to feel emboldened after what they view as the successful operation to capture Venezuela’s leader, Nicolas Maduro. They believe the US should move quickly to seize Greenland before Russia or China increases its influence in the Arctic region.

Diplomatic sources say this group sees Greenland as a strategic prize because of its location and growing importance in global security and trade routes. The Arctic is becoming more valuable due to melting ice and rising competition between major powers.

Political motives and economic distractions

British diplomats believe Trump’s interest in Greenland is not only strategic but also political. They suggest he may be looking for a dramatic foreign policy move to distract American voters from concerns about the US economy ahead of the mid-term elections later this year. 

There is growing concern that if Republicans lose control of Congress after the elections, Trump’s ability to push through controversial decisions would be significantly reduced. This has led European officials to believe that Trump may try to act quickly while he still has political room to manoeuvre.

Risk of NATO breakdown

Any attempt to take control of Greenland would put Trump on a collision course with Denmark, which governs the island, and with key allies, including Britain. Diplomats warn that such a move could seriously damage or even collapse NATO from within.

According to diplomatic cables, officials have discussed a “worst-case scenario” in which Trump uses military force or political pressure to cut Greenland’s ties with Denmark. Some European leaders fear that this could be a deliberate attempt by Trump’s hardline supporters to weaken NATO indirectly, since Congress would not allow the US to formally withdraw from the alliance.

Military pushback and alternative ideas

Senior US military leaders are reportedly trying to steer Trump away from the Greenland plan by suggesting other, less controversial actions. These include intercepting Russian “ghost ships” used to bypass Western sanctions or even launching a strike against Iran.

One diplomatic source said top generals privately described the Greenland invasion idea as “crazy and illegal” and are trying to distract Trump with other military options. The source compared dealing with Trump to “handling a five-year-old.”

A potential compromise discussed by diplomats would see Denmark grant the US full and formal military access to Greenland, while blocking any presence by Russia or China. Although the US already has broad access to the island, this arrangement would place it on a legal footing and reduce tensions.

European officials believe Trump may begin with aggressive threats before shifting to a deal. The NATO summit scheduled for 7th July is seen as a possible moment for compromise. Meanwhile, the UK’s response will be critical, as European allies watch closely to see whether Britain stands united with them or supports Trump’s approach.

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