Skip to content
ThreadOut
William Hague@WilliamJHague · Jan 20, 2026

I once landed at Narsarsuaq and wondered why a tiny place had a runway fit for a superpower. The answer? During WWII…

6 tweets1 min read♥ 6.2Koriginal

Summary

The US has had strategic access to Greenland since WWII through established defense agreements with Denmark that respect Greenland's sovereignty, making territorial acquisition unnecessary and counterproductive. Attempting to coerce Greenland's possession through economic pressure or threats would violate international law, damage NATO alliances, and undermine the rules-based order that benefits Western security.

Summarized by ThreadOut AI from the full thread. May miss nuance — read the thread below.

  1. #1

    I once landed at Narsarsuaq and wondered why a tiny place had a runway fit for a superpower. The answer? During WWII it was a major US base where 10,000 aircraft stopped en route to Europe. America has always been able to use Greenland for security. It doesn’t need to own it 🧵

  2. #2

    The 1951 Defence of Greenland Agreement lets the US build and operate defence facilities for as long as NATO exists, while recognising Denmark’s sovereignty. An update requires Greenland’s own government to agree any new base. Defence access? Yes. Possession? No - not now.

  3. #3

    To ditch that framework, use economic coercion and hint at force to take Greenland against the people’s will is unnecessary for nought. It’s morally wrong and legally indefensible. It burns goodwill, weakens law and makes alliances look worthless. Moscow and Beijing would cheer.

  4. #4

    Britain should pursue urgent diplomacy, not headline-chasing about cancelling the King’s state visit. But if tariffs are imposed on the UK for supporting Denmark and Greenland, reciprocal measures with the EU would be justified. Allies can’t be punished for defending allies.

  5. #5

    The bigger question is Europe. Will we accept weakness letting an ally’s territory be sought by threats? If this crisis does good, let it jolt us from torpor. Recreate power, starting with defence. Britain needs forces enemies fear and allies value.

  6. #6

    More from me in today’s @thetimes 👇 thetimes.com/comment/column…