# Trump secures permanent control over Greenland's security > The U.S. president announces a deal with Denmark and Greenland that gives America sweeping authority over the Arctic territory's defense and critical minerals. - Title: Trump secures permanent control over Greenland's security - Summary: The U.S. president announces a deal with Denmark and Greenland that gives America sweeping authority over the Arctic territory's defense and critical… - Keywords: greenland, donald trump, denmark, arctic security, nato, military base, critical minerals, rare earth elements, mette frederiksen, jens-fredrik nielsen, security deal, geopolitics - Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/21/greenland-security-trump-united-states-denmark-nato-ukraine-russia-pakistan-afghanistan-ethiopia - Author: Maxine Davey, Maya Krainc - Published: 2026-09-23T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 4 min - Topics: greenland, donald trump, denmark, arctic security, nato, military base, critical minerals, rare earth elements, mette frederiksen, jens-fredrik nielsen, security deal, geopolitics ## Trump announces Greenland security deal President Trump announced Friday that he reached a deal with Denmark and Greenland giving the U.S. permanent control over the island's security. The U.S. will immediately begin developing a large military presence there. ## What the deal actually covers Trump says no U.S. adversary can have a military base, presence, or make sensitive investments in Greenland without American approval. This gives the U.S. virtually unilateral control over Greenland's vast critical minerals and rare-earth supply. > from now on, no U.S. adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval. ## Unclear how much is actually new The U.S. has operated the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland since 1951 under an existing defense treaty with Denmark. It's unclear how much this new deal differs from the rights America already holds to operate on the island. ## Trump threatened military force in January Trump triggered a NATO crisis in January by threatening to take Greenland by force. He later insisted he wouldn't use force at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he said he had established a framework for a future deal. ## Denmark and Greenland express support Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal strengthens Arctic security and is good for NATO and Europe. They highlighted its recognition of Greenland's sovereignty and territorial integrity. ## Denmark says NATO will handle the Arctic Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told national broadcaster TV2 that NATO, not the U.S. alone, will largely oversee Arctic security. This contradicts Trump's framing of permanent American control. ## Deal to be signed at UN General Assembly Denmark, Greenland, and the United States are expected to sign the deal on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly in New York. Arctic security will likely be a hot topic as world leaders convene this week. ## Ukraine launches massive attack on Moscow Ukraine launched over 1,000 drones and missiles at Russia overnight Saturday into Sunday, including hundreds aimed at Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called it the largest-ever attack on the capital, killing three people and wounding 20 others. > largest-ever ## Ukrainian strikes target critical infrastructure The Ukrainian assault targeted the Moscow Oil Refinery in the Kapotnya district and logistics facilities in the Ramensky district. Russia said it intercepted more than 1,900 drones, guided aerial bombs, cruise missiles, and rockets. ## Russia retaliates with strikes on Ukraine Russia launched strikes on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia and nine other regions overnight Monday, killing at least one person. The attacks set Ukraine's historic Zaporizhzhia National University ablaze. ## Russia holds parliamentary elections amid attack The Ukrainian attack came as Russia entered the final day of voting Sunday in its first parliamentary elections since the 2022 invasion. The ruling United Russia party, which supports Putin, won 57.83 percent of the vote. ## Pakistan strikes eastern Afghanistan Pakistan launched strikes on eastern Afghanistan Monday, escalating cross-border fighting that has continued since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The attacks followed a deadly suicide bombing targeting Pakistani security forces near the border on Friday. ## Pakistan targets suspected TTP hideouts Pakistani officials said they were targeting suspected hideouts of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, a militant group blamed for the suicide bombing. Pakistan's information ministry said 28 militants were killed, but the UN said at least three deaths were civilians. ## Cross-border violence kills over 1,100 in 2026 Cross-border violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan has caused more than 1,100 civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan so far this year. Pakistan reported 819 Pakistanis, including soldiers, police officers, and civilians, killed since January. ## Seven armed groups form alliance in Ethiopia Seven armed groups in Ethiopia formed a new alliance Sunday called the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. The alliance brings together former rivals including the Tigray People's Liberation Front and the Oromo Liberation Army. ## Alliance seeks inclusive transitional government The alliance blames Abiy's administration for enabling war, genocide, mass destruction, and poverty. The groups aim to establish an inclusive transitional government and say they bear the historic responsibility of overthrowing the regime. > [W]e, the peoples' forces concerned with the survival of Ethiopia's peoples, bear the historic responsibility of overthrowing this regime. ## Tensions escalated after 2023 security force dissolution Tensions with the Tigray People's Liberation Front erupted into a two-year war that ended in 2022. The situation escalated again in 2023 when Abiy's government moved to dissolve regional security forces, sparking concerns of broader regional conflict. ## Key takeaway Trump's Greenland deal grants the U.S. veto power over military presence and sensitive investments on the island, though it's unclear how much this differs from existing rights under a 1951 defense treaty.