The United States plans to reopen two Cold War–era sites in Greenland — Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig — under an agreement to be signed by the US, Denmark and Greenland at the UN General Assembly. The pact's text has not been published and some details remain subject to finalization until signing. Denmark says the agreement places Arctic security under NATO oversight. The move follows months of pressure from President Donald Trump that earlier triggered a diplomatic dispute within NATO.
US To Reopen Two Military Sites In Greenland Under NATO-Linked Security Pact
US to open two new military bases in Greenland, sources say
The United States plans to reopen two Cold War–era military sites in Greenland and establish a presence at an east-coast outpost under a tripartite agreement with Denmark and Greenland, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Sites And Timing
Two sources identified the locations as Narsarsuaq — a southern settlement whose population fell after the US closed its Bluie West One base in the 1950s — and Mestersvig on the east coast, currently used by Denmark's Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, a Danish special forces unit. Officials from Denmark, Greenland and the United States are expected to sign the agreement at the United Nations General Assembly in New York at 10:30 a.m. ET (1430 GMT).
Agreement And Oversight
The full text of the accord has not been released. The three people briefed on the plan said some details remain subject to finalization until the document is formally signed. Danish officials say the pact places responsibility for Arctic security within the remit of NATO rather than leaving it solely to the United States and Denmark.
“The agreement assigns Arctic security to NATO oversight,” Danish officials said, signaling a broader collective-defense role for the alliance in the Arctic.
Context And Background
The move follows months of pressure from US President Donald Trump, who had publicly expressed interest in Greenland and at times did not rule out military or economic measures. Those statements sparked a diplomatic rift within NATO earlier in the year and prompted Denmark and Greenland to negotiate with Washington to defuse tensions.
During the Cold War the United States maintained 17 military installations and more than 10,000 personnel in Greenland. Today, only Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) remains in operation, hosting roughly 150 US military personnel.
Next Steps
Governments involved have not released the agreement text and did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Observers will be watching the signed document to see how it defines NATO's role in Arctic security and what presence will be established at the named sites.
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