How Trump can take Greenland: The easy way or the hard way'

"In Copenhagen, the Danish capital, and in Nuuk, Greenland, authorities are taking this threat seriously. They are studying historical precedents (Alaska, Louisiana, the Virgin Islands) and parallels in other parts of the world (Venezuela, Crimea, the Marshall Islands, Panama). They are dusting off old treaties. They are speculating about how the president of the United States might seize the Arctic island. They are proposing solutions."

"This was in response to Trump's latest remarks, in which he stated: We are going to do something in Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor. Here are six potential scenarios, based on several conversations with experts and former diplomats this week in Denmark:"

"Could a similar operation in Greenland be conceivable? Would the U.S. deploy special forces in this territory, which is 50 times larger than Denmark but has fewer than 60,000 inhabitants? What it would have in common with the Venezuelan operation would be the use of force and the will to exert control. But in this case, it wouldn't be about capturing a foreign leader wanted by U.S. justice, nor simply about controlling its government, but about incorporating the territory into the United States."

Donald Trump has expressed interest in Greenland, prompting concern in Denmark and Greenland. Authorities in Copenhagen and Nuuk are studying historical precedents such as Alaska, Louisiana and the Virgin Islands and parallels including Venezuela, Crimea, the Marshall Islands and Panama. Old treaties are being reviewed while officials speculate about methods a U.S. president might use to seize the Arctic island. Contingency plans and proposals are being developed and unease is growing among local leaders. Six potential scenarios have been identified, including a possible military intervention using limited forces to secure strategic sites and pursue incorporation.

Read at english.elpais.com