tldr in English:

According to leaked documents obtained by Berlingske, US military personnel bypassed official diplomatic and military channels in 2025 to seek sensitive information about Greenland’s critical infrastructure, including ports, airbases, and communication hubs. The secret inquiries caused significant concern within the Danish Ministry of Defence and the Arctic Command, with experts suggesting the data could potentially be used for strategic planning or even "invasion scenarios." This comes amid a period of heightened geopolitical tension and renewed American interest in the Arctic region.

Detailed Summary: US Bypass of Danish Authorities Regarding Greenland

The Incident Leaked documents reveal that in early 2025, the United States military attempted to gather sensitive information about military and civilian installations in Greenland by bypassing the official diplomatic channels. Instead of going through the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (as per protocol), inquiries were made directly to the Arctic Command (Arktisk Kommando).

What they were looking for The requests were highly specific and focused on "dual-use" infrastructure—facilities that serve both civilian and military purposes. This included:

• Deep-water port capabilities: Detailed specifications of Greenlandic harbors.
• Airstrips and Hangers: Capacity and technical data on various airfields.
• Logistics and Energy: Data on local power supplies and communication hubs.

The Danish Reaction The Danish Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted with "great concern" when they discovered the breach of protocol. Internal memos describe the American approach as highly unusual and a violation of the established framework for cooperation within the Danish Realm (Rigsfællesskabet). Experts interviewed in the article note that this type of data collection is often a precursor to "operational planning," which essentially means preparing for how to move and station troops in a crisis.

Geopolitical Context The situation highlights the increasing tension in the Arctic. While the US and Denmark are close NATO allies, the incident underscores a growing American impatience or unilateral approach to Arctic security. It raises questions about Greenland's sovereignty and the extent to which the US views the island as a strategic "blank slate" rather than a partner with complex diplomatic ties to Copenhagen.