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Invasion of Greenland would be 'stupidest own goal' for US

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Ines Pohl speaks with retired US Army Gen Ben Hodges
January 16, 2026

Donald Trump is standing firm on his demand to "acquire" Greenland. Retired US Army General Ben Hodges doubts a military invasion of the Danish territory is on the cards though — even as he believes the US president's intention "to have" the Arctic island should be taken "very seriously."

Ben Hodges, a retired US general and former commanding general of US Army Europe, told DW:

"I feel pretty confident that there's not going to be an invasion, that they won't use military because it would be one of the stupidest own goals by America in the last century because of all the damage that that would cause."

"However, I take very seriously the president's intention to have Greenland."
 

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