US to reopen Cold War-era base, set up new military presence in Greenland. (Reuters image)
The United States plans to reopen a former Cold War-era military base in southern Greenland and establish a military presence at an eastern Greenland outpost currently used by Denmark’s Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, according to report by Reuters. The sites are Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland, where the US operated the Bluie West One military base until the 1950s, and Mestersvig on Greenland’s east coast, which is currently used by the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, a Danish special forces unit, two of the sources said. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said its details had not been finalised and could change before the signing. The agreement comes after months of pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly said he wants the United States to control Greenland and has at times declined to rule out using military or economic force to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory. Denmark has said the new agreement would place Arctic security within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization rather than leave responsibility solely with the United States and Denmark.
The text of the agreement has not been made public.