the 1917 Treaty of the Danish West Indies, selling the Danish West Indies (now the U.S. Virgin Islands) to the U.S. included a crucial U.S. declaration agreeing not to object to Denmark extending its political and economic interests to all of Greenland, effectively solidifying Danish sovereignty over the entire island in exchange for the sale. This declaration formalized the U.S. acknowledgment of Denmark's claim to northern and eastern Greenland, areas previously less explored, making it a key diplomatic support for Danish rule.

The Trade: The U.S. paid Denmark $25 million in gold for the Danish West Indies.
The Greenland Clause: In return, the U.S. Secretary of State issued a statement (part of the treaty) recognizing Denmark's full sovereignty over Greenland.
Historical Context: While Denmark had a long presence on Greenland's west coast, the declaration secured its claim over the entire island, overcoming potential U.S. interest in the north (based on exploration).
Significance: This declaration served as a vital international acknowledgment of Denmark's Greenlandic claims, paving the way for global recognition of Danish rule.
In essence, the treaty was a swap: valuable Caribbean islands for confirmed control over the vast Arctic territory of Greenland.

Vlad - and to a lesser extent China - benefit from America going to war against NATO.

some quotes from people with real cred:

Phillips O'Brien

Basically Trump is threatening to sanction NATO unless NATO commits suicide.

And people still think he might sanction Russia. He is doing Putin’s work.

Joni Askola

Denmark is a model ally to the US. They fought in every war Washington asked for. They granted the US unlimited military access to Greenland.

Trump threatening them is a massive betrayal that tells every other ally: your loyalty means nothing

Ron Filipkowski

Putin cannot defeat or destroy NATO.

But Trump can tear it apart for him.

And he will.

Tom Nichols in the Atlantic

The president’s obsession with Greenland is especially dangerous because it has no real constituency

 R_P wrote:

"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."

🇺🇸🇩🇰 The Key Agreement: The 1951 U.S.–Denmark Defense of Greenland Treaty

Multiple sources confirm that the U.S. and Denmark (with Greenland later joining as a party) signed a 1951 defense agreement that remains in force today. It grants the U.S. sweeping military rights in Greenland, including:

• Permission to build, maintain, and expand military installations
• Rent‑free use of designated areas, including the existing Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base)
• Unrestricted movement of U.S. forces in Greenland for defense purposes
• Long‑term authorization for U.S. and NATO defense operations in Greenland

This treaty replaced a temporary WWII‑era agreement and became the permanent legal framework for U.S. military activity on the island.

🧭 What This Means in Practice

• The U.S. does not need to buy Greenland to maintain or expand its military presence.
• Any new bases or expansions would still require consultation with Denmark and Greenland, but the treaty already provides broad authority for U.S. defense activities.
• The U.S. currently operates Pituffik Space Base, its northernmost military installation, under this agreement.

 Proclivities wrote:
The deployment of soldiers from Denmark, Germany, France, Norway and Sweden so far this year is proof that Greenland isn't as safe as it used to be.

Same reason our leadership is considering sending troops into Minnesota... stupidity.

 Proclivities wrote:

Well melting permafrost makes walking around much less safe.

 Proclivities wrote:

Well, just look around! Kinda obvious, unless you’re one of them sheeple.

 Red_Dragon wrote:
Of course no examples (specific or not) of how Greenland has become "unsafe".

Germany joins European partners with troop deployment to Greenland