US attack on Venezuela raises fears of future Greenland takeover

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Pattern of US Actions and Overton Window

  • Several commenters see a now-familiar pattern with the current US administration: extreme proposal → dismissed as a joke → later carried out, described as a shifting of the Overton window.
  • The Venezuela operation is framed by some as part of a long US tradition of regime change in Latin America, not an unprecedented break.
  • Others argue that Maduro’s abuses are worse than some other leaders’, but note that international action tends to respond more to cross-border aggression than internal repression.

Risk of a Greenland Move

  • Some think a Greenland grab is plausible given the Venezuela precedent and recent US signaling (envoy appointed, officials openly teasing “SOON” with a US-flag Greenland map).
  • Motives discussed: oil, rare earths, gold, and especially Arctic strategic position vs Russia, though others point out the US already has extensive basing rights there.
  • Others call the article and some fears “baseless fearmongering,” arguing US aims toward Greenland/Canada will remain diplomatic and marketing, not military.

Greenland, Denmark, and Local Preferences

  • Greenland is an autonomous part of Denmark, outside the EU but inside NATO.
  • Polls and party platforms are cited: majority support for eventual independence, but overwhelming opposition to joining the US; debate over how strongly this should be summarized as “Greenlanders want independence.”
  • Some argue independence is now less realistic: in practice the near-term choice is seen as Denmark+NATO vs US alone.

NATO, EU, and War Scenarios

  • Many emphasize that an invasion of Greenland would be an attack on Denmark, triggering NATO Article 5 in principle; others stress Article 5 does not legally force military action and that the US could simply ignore it.
  • Opinions diverge on Europe’s response:
    • One side: NATO would effectively collapse, US become isolated, EU eject US bases, impose sanctions, seize US assets, and possibly pivot further toward China/BRICS.
    • Other side: Europe is too militarily and economically dependent on the US to truly confront it; leaders would protest but avoid war, hoping for a change of administration.
  • Some foresee delayed realization in Europe—initial confusion over “is this war?”—with public protests forcing governments into stronger action.

Tech, Economy, and Mutual Vulnerability

  • Commenters note deep mutual dependencies: EU on US cloud, software, payments; US on European high-end manufacturing (e.g., lithography, tooling).
  • Multiple people describe a kind of tech/economic “mutual assured destruction”: each side could cripple key industries or infrastructure for the other.

US–Europe Relationship and Empire Talk

  • Many see the US already on a path to isolation, treating the EU increasingly as an adversary and “bullying” allies.
  • Some describe the US as having fully become “the bad guys”; others say it’s more erratic than purely evil.
  • There is debate over whether Trump personally is a mastermind or merely the figurehead for a broader authoritarian project (often tied to “Project 2025”), and over how seriously to take talk of a third term.