Politico: Greenland may be reassigned to US Northern Command

The Pentagon is preparing to transfer jurisdiction over Greenland from the European Command to the US Northern Command, marking a significant move to tighten American control over the Arctic region.

Sources familiar with the plan say the change could take effect as early as this week. Currently under European Command, Greenland’s oversight will shift to Northern Command, which is responsible for North American security, Caliber.Az reports via Politico. 

This realignment comes amid President Donald Trump’s persistent interest in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, which he has suggested purchasing since his first term. The proposal has sparked concern among Greenland’s roughly 58,000 residents and frustration in Denmark, which has firmly rejected any sale. 

“From the perspective of geography, the move makes some sense,” said one official familiar with the plan. “From a political perspective, however, this clearly is going to worry Europe,” they added. The shift is part of a broader Pentagon review of the Unified Command Plan, which determines the military’s geographic responsibilities. While Greenland’s reassignment won’t cause major leadership changes, other planned adjustments could significantly impact US military command structures worldwide. The Trump administration has emphasised Greenland’s strategic importance, particularly for expanding missile defence systems and monitoring Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. 

This change could facilitate the deployment of additional Golden Dome radar systems on the island, aligning Greenland more closely with North American defence efforts alongside Canada and the US. The Danish government has yet to be formally notified about the shift. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance recently urged Greenland to deepen security ties with the US, saying the island would benefit from “coming under the United States security umbrella.”

By Naila Huseynova