To the Editor:
Re “Greenlanders Shocked, Angry, Confused and, Most of All, Scared” (front page, Jan. 15):
Every so often, the idea resurfaces that the United States might somehow acquire Greenland — through purchase, pressure or even force. It’s a notion that persists because it is provocative, but it collapses the moment it meets political and geographic reality.
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO member. Any military action against it would trigger NATO’s Article 5, obligating the United States to defend Denmark against itself. The paradox alone renders the idea unworkable.
Beyond that, Denmark would never cede sovereignty under threat, and Washington would shatter one of its closest alliances by attempting it.
Even in a world without alliances, Greenland’s geography defeats the fantasy. It is one of the most inhospitable, logistically challenging places on Earth, with few roads, vast distances and an Arctic climate that punishes even routine operations. Sustaining control over such a territory would be ruinously expensive and strategically pointless.
The irony is that the United States already enjoys the strategic benefits it seeks. Pituffik Space Base exists because of cooperation, not coercion.
The more relevant question is what Greenland itself wants. As it moves toward greater autonomy, outside powers should recognize a simple truth: Greenland is not a prize to be claimed, but a nation shaping its future.
Peter Strandberg Helsinki, Finland
To the Editor:
Greenland is important by any standard. Its posture and governance affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people in North America and Europe.
It is absurd to think that 57,000 Greenlanders and a very small European country like Denmark can develop and defend it from hostile actors like Russia and China.
Greenland needs to be protected and defended so it can be employed as defense in North America and to project power when needed.
We cannot ask for permission from anyone to protect our lives, our culture and our security. That is just the real world truth, whether we like it or not.
Daniel Dziedzic Rochester Hills, Mich.
To the Editor:
Re “Tremulous NATO Allies Grope for a Response on Greenland” (news article, Jan. 11):
It would be a grave mistake for the NATO allies to make a deal with President Trump that would abrogate Danish sovereignty over Greenland. The world’s democracies should know by now that appeasement doesn’t work. Denmark’s capitulation would only whet Mr. Trump’s appetite and embolden him.
It would be better for Europe (and Canada) to accept the reality that America under Mr. Trump is no longer a dependable ally and has in fact become an adversary. The Western democracies need a new plan for their collective defense, and they need it now.
Stephen L. Newman Toronto The writer is a professor emeritus of politics at York University.
A Woman’s Face
To the Editor:
Re “I Love My Naturally Aging Face,” by Marisa Meltzer (Opinion guest essay, Jan. 8):
A woman’s life is written in the lines of her face — her joys, her sorrows, her worry, her laughter, such wisdom as she has managed to acquire, most of it hard-earned, some of it costly, the soft light that unexpected moments of grace leave behind. All these things are transcribed there and reflected in her shifting expressions.
What compels us to want to wipe away this careful record, as if asking forgiveness for having grown old? Do we consider what we lose? All the stories our faces tell, and no two alike.
Margaret McGirr Greenwich, Conn.
To the Editor:
What a pity we live in a culture that doesn’t value the luck of aging. My mother-in-law had many deep wrinkles when she died at age 90, and she was beautiful. My sister, taken from us at 49 by cancer, had none.
The human body ages, and paying a surgeon to look artificially young makes one look artificial. Embrace aging, exercise and eat healthily, and age naturally. Aging is a gift.
Jody Wilner Moran Portland, Ore.
The post The Geopolitics of Greenland and NATO appeared first on New York Times.
