A Greenlandic veteran who once fought alongside American troops now feels betrayed after the U.S. government signaled interest in taking control over Greenland. The story highlights tensions between close allies and questions about sovereignty within the Danish realm.
From the Battlefield to a Political Storm
Kununguaq Iversen, a 48-year-old veteran from Sisimiut in Greenland, once proudly served in the Danish Armed Forces. Unlike Danish citizens, Greenlanders are not required to perform military service. Yet Iversen chose to volunteer, joining the Jutland Dragoon Regiment in Holstebro out of a sense of duty and personal ambition.
Eventually, he was deployed to Iraq in 2006 as part of Denmark’s contribution to a U.S.-led coalition aiming to rebuild and stabilize the war-torn nation. Danish forces took part in training Iraqi troops and maintaining security while facing heavy risks. Eight Danish soldiers lost their lives during that mission.
Later he served in Kosovo and Afghanistan through NATO operations. Those missions, initiated after the September 11 attacks, cost 44 Danish soldiers their lives. For Iversen, however, the deployments were more than assignments. They represented his personal commitment to the unity of the Danish Realm and to cooperation among allies.
Feeling Betrayed by an Ally
Having risked his life alongside American troops, Iversen now watches with frustration as the United States pushes for greater control over his birthplace, Greenland. He says that while Denmark and the U.S. have often supported each other in military matters, Washington’s latest ambitions cross a line.
His reaction comes amid renewed U.S. interest in Greenland, a territory that already enjoys broad autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark. The situation has stirred sensitivities about sovereignty, echoing questions about why Greenland was granted autonomy from Denmark in the first place.
For Iversen, the issue is personal. He believes that loyalty should go both ways, and that friends and allies should respect each other’s territories. What bothers him most is the feeling that after years of cooperation, the U.S. now disregards that shared history.
Controversy in Washington
The recent controversy began when U.S. officials criticized Denmark’s handling of its defense presence in Greenland. Vice President J.D. Vance commented that alliances built on past wars do not guarantee wise decisions today, referring specifically to Denmark’s policies in the Arctic region.
The remark was met with backlash in both the U.S. and Denmark. Several politicians, including Republican Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina, denounced the idea of American control over Greenland as absurd. He highlighted Denmark’s significant contributions to military operations in some of the world’s toughest combat zones, particularly Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, despite Denmark’s small defense force.
Iversen agrees that the current U.S. administration is acting disrespectfully. Although he continues to value the cooperation between both nations, he holds President Donald Trump directly responsible for the escalating rhetoric. In his view, frustration alone changes little, but silence would signal acceptance of an attitude he finds unacceptable.
Staying Proud of His Service
Despite the tension, Iversen remains proud of his years in uniform. He still considers his military service a personal contribution to maintaining Greenland’s place within the Danish Commonwealth. He argues that Denmark’s presence in the Arctic helps sustain local sovereignty and stability.
According to him, replacing that with American control would harm Greenland’s interests and undermine local self-rule. He hopes American leaders regain what he calls “a sense of reason” and reflect on how alliances should be based on mutual respect rather than pressure.
In the end, Iversen sees the issue not just as a political struggle but as a moral one. Greenland, he believes, should continue to strengthen its ties within the Danish Realm instead of giving in to external powers. That stance reflects both his loyalty as a former soldier and his belief in Greenland’s right to shape its future on its own terms.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Why Was Greenland Granted Autonomy From Denmark?
The Danish Dream: Best Immigration Lawyers in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Grønlandsk veteran kæmpede side om side med USA – i dag føler han sig dolket i ryggen
