Trump just struck a deal with Denmark and Greenland for a permanent, expanded U.S. military presence in Greenland, while barring non-NATO military bases. Greenland remains under Danish sovereignty. But geographically, look at what Greenland is: Canada’s eastern Arctic flank, facing Russia across the Arctic.
Now look at the whole map.
Alaska to our west.
Greenland to our east.
Russia across the Arctic.
Canada in the middle.
That matters more today because the security environment is changing quickly.
Yesterday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that intelligence from NATO, Ukraine and the U.S. indicates Russia may be preparing drone or rocket attacks against NATO countries while attempting to make them appear accidental. Today, France warned that Russian hybrid attacks involving drones, cyberattacks and sabotage are intensifying.
Canada clearly recognizes the Russian threat. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ottawa has committed more than $26 billion in military, financial, humanitarian and other support. And today Brussels confirmed Canada is negotiating to join the EU’s €90-billion Ukraine support loan.
There is a connection here that I think has been getting lost.
Canada’s own Arctic Foreign Policy says Russia represents a
“generational geopolitical challenge,” warns that Russia has spent more than a decade modernizing its Arctic military infrastructure, and identifies growing Russian-Chinese military cooperation in the North. It specifically says Canada needs to be strong in the North American Arctic and work closely with the United States while maintaining strong relationships with its Nordic NATO allies. – Ryan Williams, Canada
