00:00Danish soldiers in Greenland would shoot first and ask questions later if the U.S. invaded.
00:23Why are we talking about it now?
00:25Well, U.S. rhetoric about Greenland has heated up.
00:28President Trump has called Greenland a national security priority, and that prompted Denmark's defense ministry to confirm to reporters,
00:37yes, Danish soldiers would resist.
00:40No hesitation, no exceptions, even if the invading force came from a NATO ally like the U.S.
00:47This isn't some new policy.
00:49It's actually from 1952, a Cold War-era military directive.
00:54Back then, Denmark was worried about the Soviets moving into the Arctic.
00:59The rule told Danish troops in Greenland to immediately take up arms against any invading force without waiting for orders.
01:07Fast forward to today, and it turns out that rule is still in effect.
01:12Here's the context.
01:14Denmark has about 7,000 deployable troops, though only a small number are stationed in Greenland at any given time.
01:21The U.S. does have a presence there at Patufik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, but under the 1951 defense agreement.
01:30That means roughly 150 American personnel operate there for missile warning and space surveillance.
01:38But Denmark still controls the territory.
01:40The U.S. doesn't own Greenland.
01:43It doesn't get to expand bases at well.
01:45So, does this mean war?
01:48Right now, the rhetoric seems aimed at pressuring Denmark into a deal, not prepping an invasion.
01:54Officials in Washington have said military action is always an option, but buying Greenland peacefully is still the preferred path.
02:02Well, that's something that's currently being actively discussed by the president and his national security team.
02:08And I would point out that the acquisition of Greenland by the United States is not a new idea.
02:14This is something that presidents dating back to the 1800s have said is advantageous for America's national security.
02:20But here's why it matters.
02:23Greenland is part of Denmark, a NATO member.
02:26If the U.S. tried to take it by force, NATO Article 5 would kick in, and suddenly allies would have to choose sides.
02:35That's why seven European countries—Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and U.K.—came out together, saying Greenland belongs to its people.
02:46We stand with Denmark.
02:47The U.S. doesn't have a historical claim, either.
02:52Greenland has been under Danish control for centuries, got home rule in 1979, and full autonomy in domestic affairs since 2009.
03:01Past attempts by the U.S., from Truman's 1946 purchase offer to Trump's 2019 proposal, have all been rejected.
03:10And this comes right after the U.S. operation in Venezuela, where American forces captured Maduro
03:16and seized millions of barrels of oil.
03:18That's why analysts are paying attention.
03:20Because using military force to secure resources could destabilize alliances, fracture NATO, and invite opportunistic moves from Russia and China.
03:30It's not WW3 tomorrow, but it's a tension you definitely want to watch.
03:35So, here's the bottom line.
03:38Denmark is sending a clear message.
03:40Greenland is theirs to defend.
03:43Any attempt to take it by force will be met with armed resistance.
03:47And in the Arctic, in 2026, that's a line you don't want to cross.
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