The Story Can Nato survive a hostile takeover of Greenland?
Jan 14, 2026
Katie Gatens, Europe correspondent for The Sunday Times, shares vivid insights from Greenland, highlighting local fears about US interests in the territory. Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, discusses NATO's tricky position amidst escalating geopolitical tensions. They explore Greenland's strategic importance, fears of military presence, and the complex reactions of its residents. The conversation dives into potential US actions, from direct invasion to managing the status quo, revealing the intricate balance of power in the Arctic and NATO's future.
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Manage Public Diplomacy Carefully
- European leaders issued coordinated statements backing Denmark and Greenland to avoid antagonising the US.
- NATO publicly avoided taking a firm line to keep diplomatic channels open with Washington.
US Internal Factions Shape Policy
- Moody identifies three US factions: aggressive hawks, isolationists, and pragmatic diplomacy around Rubio.
- Europeans hope Rubio will be the reasonable channel to defuse the crisis.
NATO's Arctic Response Plans
- NATO plans an 'Arctic century' mission with increased naval patrols and aerial surveillance.
- Some Europeans even floated putting brigades on Greenland as deterrence, though logistically daunting.