TIME

Experts tell TIME that the permanence of the Greenland security deal marks a shift from previous arrangements.

“The deal's permanence marks a shift from what was in place before, experts tell TIME.”

Ole Wæver, a professor of international relations at the University of Copenhagen, says the old 1951 Greenland agreement was tied to the NATO treaty and could end if NATO disappeared or if Greenland or Denmark left.

““The old 1951 agreement was tied to the NATO treaty, and therefore contained the possibility that either NATO disappears, or Greenland or Denmark leave, and the agreement ends,” says Ole Wæver, a professor of international relations at the University of Copenhagen.”

Danish and Greenlandic officials have emphasized that the U.S. military arrangement in Greenland will not compromise the territory’s sovereignty.

“Danish and Greenlandic officials have emphasized that the U.S. military arrangement will not compromise the territory’s sovereignty—a fear expressed by many Greenlanders following Trump’s pressure campaign.”

The U.S. already has the Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland, which provides missile warning and space surveillance capabilities.

“The U.S. already has one base in Greenland, the Pituffik Space Base, which is located in the northwest of the territory and provides missile warning and space surveillance capabilities.”

Torrey Taussig, director of the transatlantic security initiative at the Atlantic Council, says the Greenland security deal is a positive step for U.S. relations with its Western allies.

“Torrey Taussig, director of the transatlantic security initiative at the Atlantic Council, says the deal is a positive step for U.S. relations with its Western allies.”

Russia and China have eyed emerging shipping routes in the Arctic and new avenues to critical minerals.

“Russia and China have eyed up emerging shipping routes in the Arctic and possibly new avenues to critical minerals.”

Historically, Denmark has blocked Chinese deals when pressured by the U.S.

“According to a 2019 report from the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. urged Denmark to finance airports in Greenland to counter a Chinese proposal for two airport projects, which was ultimately withdrawn.”

The 1951 accord granted the United States the right to construct military bases throughout Greenland.

“The 1951 deal, titled the Defense of Greenland Agreement, was signed two years after both the U.S. and Denmark joined NATO as founding members. It provides the basis for Washington’s military operations and presence in the Arctic territory.”

There is no evidence that President Trump ever seriously considered a military action against a NATO ally concerning Greenland.

President Trump signed a Greenland security deal on September 22, 2026, which did not meet his demands to make Greenland a U.S. territory.

“The signed agreement notably stops short of Trump's call for the U.S. to ​take over Greenland as a U.S. territory.”

Talks in Islamabad over access to the Strait of Hormuz collapsed, and by July 2026, Iran had resumed strikes on commercial vessels.

“The ceasefire itself came apart on its own terms: talks in Islamabad over access to Hormuz collapsed, and by July, Iranian strikes on commercial vessels that had bypassed Tehran’s approved shipping lane brought the fighting back in earnest.”

Following the 2026 Iran war, Gulf states welcomed the turn to diplomacy and the cessation of hostilities under the June memorandum.

Qatar and Iran jointly exploit the world's largest gas field.

“Decades of mutual suspicion have never severed their economic interdependence; Qatar and Iran still jointly exploit the world’s largest gas field.”

A ceasefire that paused direct fighting between the U.S. and Iran was largely brokered by Pakistan.

“The ceasefire that paused the direct U.S.-Iran fighting, brokered largely by Pakistan, never bound Israel at all.”

During the negotiations for the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, Israel continued to strike Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Tel Aviv wasn’t a signatory; it kept striking Hezbollah in Lebanon throughout the negotiations and treated the deal’s promise to end hostilities on every front as somebody else’s commitment.”

A meeting between Gulf Arab states and Iran regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was postponed on September 13, 2026.

“Oman is still negotiating to restore navigation through the strait and a meeting on the subject between Gulf Arab states and Iran was postponed on Sunday.”

Houthi forces in Yemen have taken control of Perim Island in the Bab El-Mandeb strait.

“The challenges for Saudi Arabia have increased after the Houthis in Yemen took control of the Perim Island in the Bab El-Mandeb strait that would allow them to disrupt maritime traffic through the Red Sea and weaponize it as a chokepoint.”

Saudi Arabia has signed the Mecca Pact, a mutual defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan.

“Saudi Arabia has signed the Mecca Pact, a mutual defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan, though its strength remains untested.”

Following an attempt at regime change, Iran's economy contracted by 6.1% and its inflation rate reached nearly 69%.

“It has also survived the attempt at regime change, emerging with an economy contracted by 6.1% and inflation near 69%.”

During the 2026 Iran war, researchers at the Carnegie Endowment recommended that GCC states share air-defense stockpiles.

“Researchers at the Carnegie Endowment recommended that GCC states could share air-defense stockpiles with each other during the attacks.”