Greenland claims: How shut have NATO members come to preventing one another?

[ad_1] The Trump administration has as soon as once more threatened to take management of Greenland both by buying it or by using army power to “deter our adversaries within the Arctic area.”

Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, already hosts the Pituffik Space Base , which the US operates in coordination with Danish authorities. Each the US and Denmark are founding members of NATO, essentially the most highly effective army alliance.

European and Canadian leaders have jumped to support Denmark and Greenland, saying they're engaged on a plan within the occasion america follows by with its threats.

Analysts have mentioned that any try by the US to grab Greenland could be an unprecedented transfer in NATO’s historical past and lift severe questions in regards to the survival of the alliance and the bounds of Article 5, which was designed to defend towards an exterior aggressor.

What occurs if one NATO member assaults one other? Collective defence is NATO’s governing precept, the place Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that an armed assault towards one NATO member is taken into account an assault towards all.

This has been a binding pledge since 1949, when the alliance got here collectively and one which has cast solidarity between North America and Europe.

As a result of Article 5 requires unanimous settlement from all members to be invoked, a battle between two members would result in an deadlock, because the alliance can't vote to go to conflict towards itself.

The one time Article 5 has been invoked was following the September 11, 2001, assaults within the US.

[Al Jazeera] On this timeline, Al Jazeera examines the closest cases when NATO members have confronted potential battle with one another.

(Al Jazeera) Restricted army confrontations 1958–1976 – The UK and Iceland fishing dispute

The Cod Wars (1958–1976) had been a sequence of escalating disputes between the UK and Iceland over North Atlantic fishing rights.

Whereas the battle by no means turned a full-scale confrontation, it did contain a sequence of naval confrontations, together with the ramming of ships and diplomatic friction between the 2 NATO members.

Fearing the lack of the Keflavik airbase in Iceland, which was important for monitoring Soviet submarines within the northern Atlantic Ocean, NATO and the US pressured the UK to concede. The dispute resulted in 1976 with a key diplomatic win for Iceland, establishing the 200-mile (322km) restrict that continues to be the worldwide normal in the present day.

<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" class="size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4224440" src="https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ap_695fcd6ff36fc-1767886192.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C532&quality=80" alt="Royal Navy frigate HMS Brighton crisscrosses in front of gunboat Thor off the coast of Iceland during an incident where Thor cut the trawling wires of a British trawler which occurred dispute known as the 'Cod Wars'. Date unknown. (AP Photo/Johannsson)" fetchpriority="low"/> Royal Navy frigate HMS Brighton criss-crosses in entrance of gunboat Thor off the coast of Iceland throughout an incident the place Thor lower the trawling wires of a British trawler, which occurred throughout a dispute often called the ‘Cod Wars’. Date unknown [AP Photo] 1974 – Greece and Turkiye over Cyprus

The 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus is the closest NATO has come to its members partaking in full-scale conflict. Following a Greek-sponsored coup in Cyprus, Turkiye launched a army intervention that just about sparked a direct battle between the 2 NATO members.

In protest of NATO’s perceived failure to restrain Turkiye, Greece withdrew from the alliance’s army construction from 1974 till 1980.

Provided that this was in the course of the Chilly Conflict, each members had been crucial to NATO’s collective entrance towards the Soviet Union. Regardless of some army motion between Greece and Turkiye, the alliance was in a position to forestall a direct conflict.

<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" class="size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4224489" src="https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1996-08-11T120000Z_1672511633_PBEAHUMWDDF_RTRMADP_3_CYPRUS-1767887710.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C522&quality=80" alt="Turkish Cypriots, using slings, hurl stones against Greek Cypriots entering in the buffer zone in Derinya while the Turkish Cypriot police using shields try to stop them during a clash between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, August 11. A Greek Cypriot man was killed and 41 people wounded in clashes with Turkish Cypriots across the ceasefire line that has divided the island since Turkey invaded the north in 1974." fetchpriority="low"/> Turkish Cypriots hurling stones towards Greek Cypriots coming into the buffer zone in Derinya, whereas the Turkish Cypriot police utilizing shields attempt to cease them throughout a conflict between Turkish and Greek Cypriots [Reuters] 1995 – Canada and Spain fishing dispute

In 1995, Canada and Spain got here near a naval battle in the course of the “Turbot Conflict”. Canada had imposed restrictions to guard fish shares, together with a species of fish named turbot, resulting in accusations that EU boats had been overfishing simply exterior Canada’s unique financial zone.

Tensions escalated when Canadian Coast Guard vessels fired warning pictures over a Spanish trawler and arrested its crew. Europe threatened sanctions, however the UK vetoed them, siding with Canada alongside Eire. In response, Spain deployed naval patrols, and Canada authorised its navy to fireplace on trespassing vessels, bringing NATO members dangerously near battle.

The disaster ended following EU mediation, leading to Canada withdrawing its enforcement actions and the institution of a joint regulatory framework.

Turbot is a flatfish recognized for its delicate flavour and agency white flesh, typically thought of a culinary delicacy [File: Bas Czerwinski/AP Photo] Disputes over conflict engagements NATO has additionally confronted inner divisions over when and the best way to have interaction militarily, with some members typically desirous to keep away from direct army motion.

1956 – France, UK and US over the Suez Disaster

Through the 1956 Suez Disaster, France and the UK fashioned a secret alliance with Israel to invade Egypt following Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s nationalisation of the Suez Canal.

This operation prompted a extreme disaster inside NATO, as america, fearing Soviet intervention and the alienation of the Arab world, strongly opposed the army motion. Regardless of the shortage of settlement, France and the UK went forward with operations anyway.

The battle was finally resolved by the UN’s first-ever armed peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Emergency Power (UNEF), which established the blueprint for future UN peacekeeping operations.

<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" class="size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4224466" src="https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/suez_canal_photo-1767886927.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C467&quality=80" alt="Israeli soldiers in foxholes as they clean their light weapons at a base at the Milta Pass during Operation Kadesh in the 1956 Middle East war. In October 1956 Israel, under continued cross border commando raids from Egypt, crossed into the Sinai in an audacious plan to take control of the Suez Canal with France and Britain. As a result America was forced into a crisis with its closest European allies, and Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip. [Reuters]" fetchpriority="low"/> Israeli troopers in foxholes as they clear their mild weapons at a base on the Milta Cross throughout Operation Kadesh within the 1956 Center East conflict. In October 1956, Israel, below continued cross-border commando raids from Egypt, crossed into the Sinai in an audacious plan to take management of the Suez Canal with France and the UK [Reuters] Sixties-Seventies – US and European allies over Vietnam Conflict

The Vietnam Conflict noticed a big disagreement between NATO members over US army interventions, the place Washington considered Vietnam as a key entrance within the Chilly Conflict, however key European allies, similar to France and the UK, opposed direct army involvement.

France brazenly condemned the conflict and ended up leaving NATO’s army command in 1966 to keep away from being dragged into future US conflicts. France finally rejoined the army construction 43 years later in 2009.

The UK opposed sending British troops regardless of stress from the US, because the conflict was broadly unpopular with the British public. Nevertheless, it did present logistical and intelligence assist for the US. Apparently, given its regular shut alliance with the UK, and regardless of not being a member of NATO, Australia dedicated troops to the conflict.

These variations led to tensions among the many largest gamers in NATO and resulted within the Vietnam Conflict not being mandated below NATO command. It additionally resulted in NATO’s headquarters shifting from France to Belgium, the place it stays in the present day.

US Huey helicopters fly in formation over a touchdown zone in South Vietnam in the course of the Vietnam Conflict, date unknown [AP Photo] 1999 – Greece’s opposition to Kosovo air marketing campaign

In 1999, NATO launched an air marketing campaign in response to the ethnic cleaning carried out by Serbian forces in Kosovo.

The alliance carried out an air marketing campaign towards Yugoslavia, however met severe reservations from NATO members, similar to Greece, which shared shut cultural and non secular ties with Serbia. Greek protesters bodily blocked and focused British troops and tanks that had been travelling to hitch allied forces.

Greece turned the primary NATO member to name for a halt to the bombing.

<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" class="size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4224477" src="https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1999-04-30T120000Z_1729892129_PBEAHULUIEI_RTRMADP_3_ALBANIA-1767887265.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C667&quality=80" alt="A British military helicopter, painted with tiger stripes, lands near the U.S. Army camp at the Tirana, Albania airbase, Friday, April 30, 1999." fetchpriority="low"/> A British army helicopter, painted with tiger stripes, lands close to the US Military camp on the Tirana, Albania airbase, Friday, April 30, 1999 [Reuters] 2003 – European allies break up over Iraq Conflict

The 2003 Iraq Conflict prompted one of many deepest rifts in NATO’s historical past.

Whereas the alliance supported UNSC Decision 1441, which gave Iraq “a ultimate alternative to adjust to its disarmament obligations”, three NATO members: France, Germany and Belgium rejected the US declare that it authorised speedy army motion, resulting in a impasse.

Ultimately, the invasion was carried out by a “Coalition of the Prepared” reasonably than NATO itself, and Article 5 remained uninvoked.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair addresses the media as US President George W Bush listens on the White Home, January 31, 2003 in Washington, DC [Brad Markel-Pool/Getty Images] 2011 – Disagreements over Libya intervention

Through the 2011 intervention in Libya, NATO members had failed to return to an settlement over whether or not NATO needs to be accountable for imposing a no-fly zone over Libya if the US stepped again from main the operation.

Germany and Poland opposed a army intervention fully, with Germany refusing to again an UN Safety Council decision authorising NATO motion. Turkiye additionally voiced sturdy opposition, insisting that any motion should keep away from occupation and conclude rapidly.

France opposed main the NATO intervention, whereas Italy mentioned it needed to take again management of airbases it had authorised to be used by allies except a coordination construction was agreed.

These inner divisions delayed NATO from taking formal command of the air marketing campaign till almost two weeks after the preliminary coalition strikes started.

<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" class="size-arc-image-770 wp-image-768719" src="https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/c39b37b727e8472eafa093a0fd384c5e_18.jpeg?w=770&resize=770%2C432&quality=80" alt="A French Navy Rafale jet fighter prepares to land on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier on April 20, 2011 in the Mediteranean sea, as part of the military operations of the Nato coalition in Libya" fetchpriority="low"/> A French Navy Rafale jet fighter prepares to land on the Charles de Gaulle plane provider on April 20, 2011, within the Mediterranean Sea, as a part of the army operations of the Nato coalition in Libya [Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images] Different notable disagreements NATO has confronted disagreements over Afghanistan and deployments in Japanese Europe following the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Some members have restricted how and the place their army forces will function.

As well as, there have additionally been funds disputes and missile defence points. Nevertheless, the alliance has by no means damaged aside.

What occurs with Greenland now's a take a look at for NATO’s unity.

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