‘The Times’: “The Finns had to be told to stop beating the Americans”

The US national security strategy published in November does not mention Greenland. The UK government’s strategic defence review in June last year warned of the likelihood of the Arctic and the high north becoming “ice-free” by summer 2040. This would allow “access to more actors and create a new site for competition within the UK’s wider neighbourhood”, it said. There was no specific mention of Greenland, ‘The Times’ notes.

The lack of American focus and any pressing Russian or Chinese threat means that NATO planners, who are working on a Greenland-centred Arctic mission, are trying to work out exactly what is needed. “Is it air surveillance systems, aircraft or naval presence and of what kind?” one diplomat said.

Most telling is that the US has little in the way of suitable military resources or experience for the Arctic. It is, for once, European NATO allies, especially the Scandinavians and Britain, who have Arctic-ready forces.

One military source noted that in last year’s Joint Viking exercise in northern Norway, American troops struggled.

Exercise commanders had to ask Finnish reservists, the most formidable Arctic warriors, who were playing the role of invaders in the war games, to go easy on the Americans. “The Finns had to be told to stop beating the Americans as it was embarrassing and demoralising for them,” a military source said.

The US is also dependent on Finland for the best ice-breaking naval technology. “The Europeans have the savoir-faire,” a military source said. “If Trump wants to defend the region, he is going the wrong way about it by rubbing his Arctic allies up the wrong way.”

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