Colonel Susannah Meyers, the commander of the US military base in Greenland, has been dismissed after sending an email that distanced herself from remarks made by Vice-President JD Vance regarding Denmark. The decision, announced by the US military's Space Operations Command, was attributed to a "loss of confidence" in her leadership abilities.
Vance's remarks, made during a visit to the Arctic island, criticized Denmark for its lack of military spending in Greenland. Meyers allegedly conveyed in her email that Vance's comments did not represent the views of Pituffik Space Base, stating her intent to stay neutral amid political discussions.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell implied that Meyers' actions undermined the military hierarchy, emphasizing that such behavior would not be tolerated within the Department of Defense. Colonel Shawn Lee has been appointed as her replacement.
During his visit, Vance also reiterated former President Trump's interest in potentially annexing Greenland, a sentiment that has met with staunch opposition from both Greenland’s leadership and Denmark. In a united front, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen joined Greenland’s leaders in rejecting any annexation attempts, asserting Denmark's commitment to strengthening military presence in the Arctic while collaborating closely with the US.
Greenland, which has been under Danish control for around 300 years, has the option for an independence referendum that could reshape its future. However, recent polls reveal that most Greenlanders desire independence from Denmark but are not interested in joining the United States. With ongoing discussions about autonomy, the geopolitical landscape in the Arctic remains complex and evolving.
