NATO has launched a military effort in the Arctic region as it seeks to move beyond the Greenland dispute
Brussels — NATO on Wednesday launched a new military effort dubbed “Arctic Sentry” aimed at improving security in the Far North, a month after US President Donald Trump. Tensions escalate Within the alliance because of its threats to annex Greenland.
Initially, “Arctic Sentry” will serve as NATO’s designation for national military exercises in the region, such as those conducted by Denmark. Arctic Endurance — which angered Trump so much that he threatened to impose tariffs on participating allies — and cold response exercises in Norway. Operation Arctic Sentry does not involve a permanent or even long-term deployment of forces in the region under the NATO banner.
NATO’s role in this series of military activities, which will be coordinated through its American headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, aims to confront Russian and Chinese influence in the far north, which includes Greenland.
“Arctic Sentry underscores the Alliance’s commitment to protecting its members and maintaining stability in one of the world’s most strategically important and environmentally challenging regions,” said NATO’s Supreme Commander in Europe – US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich -.
“It will leverage NATO power to protect our lands and ensure that the Arctic and the High North remain safe,” he said in a statement.
As part of these efforts, the United Kingdom announced that the number of British forces deployed in Norway would double over three years from 1,000 to 2,000 soldiers. Some will participate in Exercise Lion Protector, already scheduled for September.
Details are unclear, but other NATO activities will be added to Arctic Sentry once broader security needs are assessed and national military exercises conclude.
France and Germany said they would participate, but did not say how many troops would participate.
Arctic security has been on NATO’s agenda in recent years – there are seven allies in the region, along with Russia – but pressures for action have accelerated with Trump’s determination to “get it”. Greenland It inflamed tensions between the allies.
NATO’s primary role is to defend the territories of its 32 member states. The specter of the alliance’s most powerful country threatening to annex part of another ally, Denmark, had severely shaken the rest of the alliance. Greenland is a semi-autonomous region of the Danish Kingdom.
European allies hope that Arctic Sentry and ongoing talks between the Trump administration and Denmark and Greenland will allow NATO to move beyond the conflict and focus on Europe’s real security priority, which is Russia’s war on Ukraine.
