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That might work after the mid-terms but at the moment there's too many yes men in Washington
It's about the message and the timing. Lars Lokke Rasmussen of Denmark and Vivian Motzfeldt of Greenland are due to meet JD Vance and Marco Rubio at the WH today
I don't know enough about the system to know if that will help
Of all the nasty things happening on the world today I never thought that the biggest potential breakup of the western alliances would not be China or Putin but Greenland.
I hope what the ft reports is true, and given the huge opposition to action against Greenland within the US electorate, it is appropriate and much needed. Just need some other legislation to rein in Trump more generally, and for republicans to grow spines.
It feels like Trump is pushing the Greenland agenda because he feels slighted from his first term when Denmark practically laughed at his suggestion. He's thin-skinned enough for that to be plausible. It feels like Denmark is channelling a truer, less boot-licking version of European sentiment towards the Trump regime. Whether that's the best policy remains to be seen... outcome of the US meeting imminent. The whole situation is insanity.
outcome of the US meeting imminent. The whole situation is insanity.
There are a few snippets comming out from the Danish/EU side, nothing detailed, it seems the Nazi pedos were basically told to sod off.
No rant from kiddy fiddler in chief, Trump yet, he's busy talking about bombing Iran just now, but I'm sure there will be something in time.
I hope what the ft reports is true, and given the huge opposition to action against Greenland within the US electorate, it is appropriate and much needed. Just need some other legislation to rein in Trump more generally, and for republicans to grow spines.
GOP Rep Bacon is part of those introducing it.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5687398-bacon-trump-greenland-nato-rand-paul/
Rand Paul comments
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who also often finds himself at odds with the president, said in a Sunday interview that he’s not particularly concerned about the prospect of a military invasion of Greenland, citing the strong opposition on Capitol Hill.
“I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone in Greenland for it, but you’d also be hard-pressed to find somebody in Washington who’s for a military invasion — on either side of the aisle,” Paul said.
Don't know if he has that right tbh
Over time, as senior officers with backbone and a moral compass leave or are forced out, more compliant replacements will bring about a different and much more concerning culture.
To join the State Dept, Dept of Justice, etc today you'd either have to be a shameless toady or gambling that in 3 years normality will resume and you can keep your head down in the meantime.
Looks like Germany, France and UK are sending some troops out there - mainly to show support. BBC News.
Should go and park a load of F35's on the runway, then keep a load of Typhoons locked and loaded.
Or even Griphens that are designed for the cold ?
JAS Gripen would be fine there. The supply tail would be quite long though, but I am sure the pilots would appreciate the flight hours.
Looks like Germany, France and UK are sending some troops out there - mainly to show support. BBC News.
I suppose the thinking might be that these troops can obviously not resist an invasion but shooting “allied” soldiers is a bit different from shooting a few non-white indigenous folk, and that the repercussions would be significant.
Horrible racists being horribly racist. I can’t imagine Greenlanders being won over by this sort of crap
I suppose the thinking might be that these troops can obviously not resist an invasion but shooting “allied” soldiers
I'd assume they'd (at least the UK ones) be told to stand down by mr spineless in chief, Keir Starmer. My reading was more that Trump was whining that it was insecure and the Chinese could take it over as a threat to the US; so NATO countries are seeking to rebuff that by stationing a static force there.
I'd assume they'd (at least the UK ones) be told to stand down by mr spineless in chief, Keir Starmer
Quick phone call from Mar a Lago and the UK ones would be busy rounding up Greenlanders and digging cobalt mines.
Horrible racists being horribly racist. I can’t imagine Greenlanders being won over by this sort of crap
Bro- They. Do. Not. Care
If the Swedish stationed troops there, I could imagine that Lil' Uffe might do the same sort of thing as Starmer (bowing to pressure from Trump), but he'll be facing a lot of opposing peer pressure from the Finns, Danes, Norwegians and the Baltic states and that will make it really difficult for him.
Trump's shitshow will be gone at some point and the relationship will change again but, in the meantime, Denmark and _its_ relationship will remain.
It feels like Trump is pushing the Greenland agenda because he feels slighted from his first term when Denmark practically laughed at his suggestion.
I think Trump is genuinely in a medical sense, losing his mind. It's only going to get worse.
I'd assume they'd (at least the UK ones) be told to stand down by mr spineless in chief, Keir Starmer. My reading was more that Trump was whining that it was insecure and the Chinese could take it over as a threat to the US; so NATO countries are seeking to rebuff that by stationing a static force there.
I don't think anyone honestly would expect the UK Military to stand up to the US Military, particularly in Greenland, that would just be an exercise in ordering UK soldiers to die in a battle they can't win.
Maybe a combination of things, such as your mooted rebuff of US claims. But also it would "possibly" force Congress to act against Trump. Quite some political gambling.
I'm 62 in April. I thought I'd left all this nonsense behind yonks ago. Maybe not 🙄 Things must be getting desperate! I'll dig out my thermals, tartan flask and hot water bottle. I hope the new 24hr ration packs have plenty of Ibuprofen and Tena Man in them!
Maybe not
Things must be getting desperate! I'll dig out my thermals, tartan flask and hot water bottle.
What combat Zimmer frame for snow and ice
I'd assume they'd (at least the UK ones) be told to stand down by mr spineless in chief, Keir Starmer
Quick phone call from Mar a Lago and the UK ones would be busy rounding up Greenlanders and digging cobalt mines.
Starmer might be a ****, but there's some utter bollocks spouted on here at times.
As others have said, European troops in Greenland will make it clear to the US that it really is NATO allies they are threatening, and all the consequences that would involve. The message is getting through on Capitol Hill, with the proposed bill to prevent action against allies. Also a lot of people online pointing out that Europe has a lot of US bonds and dollars to take economic action.
Canadas position - literally - will be key, and could provide a much shorter supply route.
Sad times in it.
Doesnt look like Laurie has secured a contract for this coming season
I'd assumed the primary purpose of military activity was to show US/Trump that active partnership defence is happening and is enough. It has the secondary benefit of making any kind of takeover much more complicated and risky. It has the additional affect of annoying Russia too.
Europe has quite a few levers it can use to deter the US against Greenland if moves were made. Aside from economic measures, there is the potential consequence of Europe refusing US overflights if a takeover happens, and restrictions on US bases in NATO countries. These are extreme, but demonstrate a strategic cost. It's amazing how self-defeating the whole proposition is, and the way it's being conducted by the US/Magastan.
As it stands, it's still just words. Interested on Canada's position on this, as critical NATO member and arctic power. I still think some kind of far reaching agreement is the most likely outcome, and I can imagine the US military being very uncomfortable with the whole thing.
I don't think anyone honestly would expect the UK Military to stand up to the US Military, particularly in Greenland, that would just be an exercise in ordering UK soldiers to die in a battle they can't win.
I agree, but the most effective way to defend Greenland would not to actually fight, but rather to have a very small group of soldiers, preferably from across multiple NATO countries, link arms (metaphorically or literally) and say that if the USA want to take Greenland, they will have to kill them.
But it might be hard to find volunteers for Mission "surely he wouldn't actually do it... would he?"
Orders are orders, and they won't be illegal
But it might be hard to find volunteers for Mission "surely he wouldn't actually do it... would he?"
That made me laugh more than appropriate... Picturing Blackadder and his crew from the trenches.
But it might be hard to find volunteers for Mission "surely he wouldn't actually do it... would he?"
😂 "Asking" for volunteers is not how it works. More like "Get your lardy arse on that bus to Brize sunshine, save your dripping for the padre".
Government have just moved call up reservist age from 55 to 65.
At least the cannon fodder have lived a bit.
If the cannon fodder for this are in the 55 to 65 age group and have previous service, I think the biggest question will be if the RAF can ensure there is enough tea and biscuits getting to theatre so that the soaks can always have a full mug while they are swapping stories.
Government have just moved call up reservist age from 55 to 65.
I think Mercator is at least partly to blame. It just looks so big sitting there at the top of the map he was always going to notice it eventually
Government have just moved call up reservist age from 55 to 65.
Not being rude, and I know there's some in this age range who are still remarkably fit, but... thinking of footballers... Isn't going into battle somewhat more demanding than a game of football!?
Government have just moved call up reservist age from 55 to 65.
Not being rude, and I know there's some in this age range who are still remarkably fit, but... thinking of footballers... Isn't going into battle somewhat more demanding than a game of football!?
Just spoken with an old mate. Neither sure we could see the target on a 400m range never mind hit it.
Just been involved in a social media chat with an American based friend of a friend.
She was obviously anti Trump/Maga and any attack on Greenland, but said the Europeans could not defend it due to the long supply chain.
I had to remind her that Canada was a thing. And not a thing tbat would support the US
https://xcancel.com/RnaudBertrand/status/2011753169898889487
"The end result is this sad irony: Greenland is now a legitimate point of Russian-NATO tension where none existed before Trump started his threats of annexation.
By responding to a fictional Russian danger with actual NATO military buildup, NATO leaders have created the very security concern they claimed to be addressing.
It's almost impressively incompetent. Or maybe deliberately manufactured, which is just as bad."
I find it interesting that europe is putting troops on the ground to defend against the US. Yes it will only be symbolic but its a very powerful signal
Its no threat to russia
could not defend it due to the long supply chain.
Have a look at a globe. 🙂 Its not far from norway and iceland
https://www.newsweek.com/republican-signals-support-for-trump-impeachment-11364569
Bacon warned, "If he went through with the threats, I think it would be the end of his presidency. And he needs to know: The off-ramp is realizing Republicans aren't going to tolerate this and he's going to have to back off. He hates being told no, but in this case, I think Republicans need to be firm."
Will wait to see if this gets more widely reported in the same light
3000km from New York to Nuuk. Liverpool is about the same. Reykjavik half that.
I find it interesting that europe is putting troops on the ground to defend against the US.
feels really weird. We're (the rest of the world) are being held hostage to the whims of a mad-king.
3000km from New York to Nuuk. Liverpool is about the same. Reykjavik half that.
Early Proclaimers?
Well, it appears that there is a value to Greenland... 6450 billion SEK, call it 650 billion USD. Denmark did tell him to go F himself though, so it looks like an invasion is on the cards.
Is this an offer the Trump administration have made (backed by force)? They could make that back selling off chunks to the likes of Praxis very quickly.