Donald Trump at the NATO summit in The Hague,, Netherlands, June 25, 2025 (Alex Brandon/AP)

EA-PoliticsJOE VideoCast: Why Trump Bailed Out Over Greenland

EA-Times Radio VideoCast: “Trump Has No Good Options on Greenland”

UPDATE 0831 GMT:

I joined BBC World Service’s Newshour on Saturday to explain the latest Trump threat to Europe with the release of the Pentagon Defense Strategy.

Listen to Discussion from 14:30

I summarize the combination of the Strategy with last month’s National Security Strategy. It downplays any confrontation with Russia, despite the 4-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and with China as it fails to mentions Taiwan or the South China Sea.

Even more important, there is no longer a post-1945 alliance — at least for many people in the Administration — with Europe, which is even a potential adversary of the US.

UPDATE, JAN 25:

I spoke with BBC Radio Wales on Saturday about the “most significant week” in European politics since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

To listen, you need to be in the UK or use VPN.

Listen to Discussion

I summarize for host Carl Roberts:

Once you cut through the white noise, falsehoods, tantrums, and serious threats of Donald Trump and his camp, what you saw at Davos was a recognition by European and Canadian leaders that they have to proceed without counting on alliance with the United States.

I also discuss the new Pentagon Defense Strategy which replaces China and Russia as primary threats with Europe as the potential adversary.

I know that might sound dramatic, but it’s a cold reality that has to be faced. Otherwise, we are in confusion about what the heck is happening.

Asked “How do you feel as an American?”, I reply:

I am saddened at what has happened to my country with what is now, in effect, an authoritarian government when you see ICE not just go after immigrants but terrorize communities in Minnesota, when you see the attempt to override courts and disregard the right of Americans.

UPDATE 1500 GMT:

I returned to TVP World on Thursday to assess the aftermath of the Davos World Economic Forum and Donald Trump’s retreat over Greenland.

In the 13-minute analysis, I explain why Trump not only withdrew his military threat but also scrapped tariffs on eight European states who showed support for Greenland through the despatch of military personnel.

I look forward to how European powers — and the world — have to deal with Trump and a cabal which not only has abandoned alliances but is seeking “domination”.

UPDATE, JAN 22:

Braving the wind and rain in Dublin, I chatted with Pakistan TV on Wednesday afternoon — hours before Donald Trump bailed out on his attempt to seize Greenland — about the wider danger of the threats of the Trump camp:

It just happens to be Donald Trump who is saying, “I’ll use force to take something that isn’t mine.” It could be another leader somewhere else.

The bedrock of the post-1945 international order, from the UN to regional organizations to international law, is that you respect a country’s sovereignty.

Once you allow anyone to say they are beyond accountability over sovereignty, it becomes a free-for-all.

Watch from 29:55:

UPDATE 1735 GMT:

Former UK diplomat and EA correspondent Cormac Smith spoke with India’s NDTV on Wednesday morning about Donald Trump’s latest threat to seize Greenland and its effect on NATO and the democratic world.

Cormac cuts through Trumpist disinformation with facts such as the 1951 US-Denmark treaty for the defense of Greenland and the American ability to bid for the exploration of rare earth minerals.

Trump will take as much as he can get. But I think this is going to be determined by the steel in the spine of NATO and European leaders.

On a panel on India Today, Cormac knocked back Trump’s disinformation about NATO and its relationship with the US:

UPDATE 0841 GMT:

I joined RTE 1’s PrimeTime for analysis around the Trump camp and Greenland, as the issue takes over the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

Watch from 10:27:

Watch Discussion

I detail Trump’s latest tantrum, amid declining mental health; the ambitions of his inner circle, include J.D. Vance; and divisions within the Administration and Congress amid overwhelming US public opinion against the seizure of the world’s largest island.

I also consider the most effective response by Europe, Canada, and the international community to the pressure.

Along the way, I knock back the disinformation of Trumpist megaphone Carla Sands and the cautious, tangled comments of Irish Minister Peter Burke.

UPDATE, JAN 21:

I spoke with BBC Radio 5 Live’s Adrian Chiles about Donald Trump’s latest tantrum and disinformation in his effort to seize Greenland.

I dissect Trump’s false linkage of his quest with the UK’s return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. I highlight the wider purpose of the propaganda: pursuing the wider strategy, promoted by Vice President J.D. Vance and others in the Administration, of undermining Europe and putting hard-right governments in power.

To listen, you need to be in the UK or to use a VPN:

Listen to Discussion from 2:13.37

UPDATE, JAN 20:

I joined France 24 English’s Mark Owen on Monday night for further evaluation of Donald Trump’s threats and of the European response showing solidarity with Greenland and Denmark.

I detail Trump’s “massive tantrum” that Denmark did not sell Greenland to him. That includes his letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre saying that, as Trump did not get the Nobel Peace Prize, he is no longer “obligated” to pursue peace.

I consider Trump’s tariff threat and the motives of others in the Administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance. I conclude that, while European leaders will pursue diplomacy to avert the threat, they must be prepared to respond with economic measures.

ORIGINAL ENTRY, JAN 19: I joined Poland’s TVP World on Monday to analyze Donald Trump’s latest threats as he tries to seize Greenland from Denmark.

In the 11-minute discussion with Sascha Fahrbach, I highlight how the Trump camp’s bullying and disinformation is part of a wider campaign to undermine the European Union and individual European countries, damaging NATO.

The starting point is there is no alliance between the Trump camp and Europe. That alliance, which we have had since World War II — they don’t believe in that.