Tomás Ó Flatharta

Diplomatic and Political skirmishes between the USA and western European governments – Ireland, Denmark, France to name but a few – are spreading.

Here is a case study.

Copenhagen is not amused by Yankee covert operations in Greenland :

Denmark summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen on Wednesday after Danish media reported that Americans with ties to President Donald Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland.

Danish broadcaster DR reported that at least three U.S. citizens linked to the U.S. government were involved in activities that, reportedly, authorities fear could be used covertly to support Trump’s desire to make Greenland part of the United States.

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the U.S. chargé d’affaires — currently its most senior diplomat in Denmark — had been summoned in response. He called any interference in Danish affairs “unacceptable,” and emphasized that Copenhagen “will of course not accept covert operations on our territory,” in a statement emailed by his ministry, according to the AP.

The news is spreading :

Yankee Spies in Greenland – “We do not spy on friends” declares Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen

When powerful governments publicly argue like this – in this case the former (?) friends Denmark and the USA – is it useful to declare “a plague on both your houses”?

The answer is No. Concrete analysis is needed, and concrete answers must be promoted.
The war of words escalated after a provocative visit by Donald Trump’s vice president JD Vance to Greenland in April 2025.

US Base commander Colonel Susannah Meyers was removed for criticising VP Vance — and apparently for refusing to lower Greenland and Danish flags flying alongside the Stars and Stripes at the US Pituffik Space Base.

The Danish member of parliament Søren Søndergaard (Red-Green Alliance) declares that the Danish state should award Meyers a medal – he submitted this question to the Minister for Defence :

Will the Minister award the “Minister of Defence’s Medal for Special Service” to the now former American commander of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, Colonel Susannah Meyers, who was dismissed from her position for insisting on good relations between Americans, Canadians, Danes and Greenlanders at the base, and if not, why not?
Written justification:
The Ministry of Defence’s website contains the following description of the “Minister of Defence’s Medal for Special Service”: “The Minister of Defence’s Medal for Special Service was approved by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II on 7 January 2022. The medal can be used to recognise Danes as well as foreigners who have made a special effort within the Ministry of Defence’s area of responsibility.”

There is a reference to this proposal on the Danish Parliament’s official website:

• Folketinget:
  Red-Green MP in Danish parliament proposes a medal for sacked US Commander Susannah Meyers

Further information is here :
Greenland Says No to Vance and Trump – ESSF

The number one principle when a major imperialist power threatens a land-grab and annexation is :

“Nothing About Greenland, Without Greenland”.

Just as, in the case of Trump ally, Putin’s Russia, which is trying to consolidate a land-grab in Ukraine :

“Nothing About Ukraine, Without Ukraine”

Trump and Vance are using Putin’s tactic in Crimea before the Russian invasion – sending in “private individuals” to launch an influence campaign. This tells us the US badly wants to steal Greenland.

Washington has form :

The Danes want answers on alleged covert influence ops in Greenland aimed at sowing division between Nuuk and Copenhagen.Which is how the United States got started in Texas and the Southwest, Cuba and Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal …@vivianho.bsky.social and Bill Booth reportwapo.st/4fVOYY0

— Matthew Hay Brown (@matthewhaybrown.bsky.social) 2025-08-27T22:33:42.758Z

Reliable information suggests that a Yankee Greenland land-grab is not popular with the people who live on the icy island.

A new poll reveals that an overwhelming majority of Greenlanders reject the idea of their Arctic island becoming part of the United States, with many viewing President Trump’s interest as a threat.

The survey by pollster Verian, commissioned by Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenlandic daily Sermitsiaq, found that 85 per cent of Greenlanders do not want their semi-autonomous Danish territory to become part of the US.

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John Meehan August 28 2025