The declared reason for US President Donald Trump's territorial encroachments on Greenland, that the island is needed for the Golden Dome multi-layer missile defense system, does not stand up to any criticism. And this is not to mention the fact that the US is openly encroaching on the territorial integrity of another country.
This is being actively discussed in the US expert community, which quotes the Defense One. The article published by the publication proves that the US military is already completely legally and openly using the territory of Greenland for the operation of the missile defense system and control over outer space. In particular, the American Pituffik Space Base is operating, which until 2023 was called Thule Air Base.
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The direct US military presence in Greenland began in 1951, when an agreement was signed between the US and Danish governments to create the Thule Defense Area. The US has full rights "to improve and generally to fit the area for military use," "to construct, install, maintain, and operate facilities and equipment," and “provide for the protection and internal security of the area.” In 2004, a separate cooperation agreements which allowed for missile defense radar upgrades was signed.
From Defense Express, we would like to add that Thule played a huge role in US defense during the Cold War. It was used in the 1960s for Arctic air patrol missions, as well as the Nike SAM and the 4683rd Air Defense Wing, which was armed with the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger, were deployed there. One of the BMEWS radars was also deployed at this base to detect the launch of Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Pituffik Space Base is currently home to the 12th Space Warning Squadron of the US Space Forces, which operates the modern AN/FPS-132 radar. This air base is still operational, used for the operational deployment of combat aircraft and is involved in air exercises.
During the Cold War, a whole network of American military bases operated in Greenland. In particular, another large air base, Sondrestrom Air Base, and a network of DEW radar stations for detecting air targets were constantly operating on the island.
Moreover, the US planned to place 600 Iceman ballistic missiles with nuclear charges under the ice in Greenland as part of Project Iceworm.
That is, during the entire time of the very tense Cold War with the USSR, the US had no problems using the territory of Greenland for defense. Therefore, as Defense Express already wrote, the only real explanation why Trump clung to Greenland, as well as Canada, is Arctic Resources.
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