A 1952 Danish Military Order Draws Attention
Soldiers train at the Oksboel Shooting and Training Ground, Jutland, Denmark, in this 2023 file photo. The regiment is one of four combat troop regiments under the Danish Army Command. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
As the United States increases rhetoric about gaining control of Danish-controlled Greenland, renewed attention has fallen on a Cold War–era Danish military directive. The policy, dating back to 1952, requires Danish forces to immediately engage any foreign troops attacking Danish territory, even if no direct orders have been issued. Denmark’s Defense Ministry has confirmed the directive remains in effect, according to the Danish newspaper Berlingske.
Despite this confirmation, the directive has sparked what some observers say is exaggerated media coverage. Fact-checking site Snopes points to a recent headline in the UK’s Telegraph claiming Denmark would “shoot first and ask questions later” over Greenland. That framing, Snopes notes, has been echoed and amplified across other outlets. In some cases, reports have incorrectly suggested Denmark issued a new order in response to recent U.S. statements, which is not accurate.
The story has gained momentum largely because the White House has stated that the use of the military is “always an option” for President Trump in pursuing Greenland, according to the BBC. More clarity may come next week when Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Danish officials. Rubio told reporters that President Trump’s objective has consistently been to purchase Greenland from Denmark, not to take it by force, ABC News reports.
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