US Assertiveness and Great Power Competition Raise Global Security Concerns: Danish Intelligence Report
A new assessment from Danish intelligence reveals growing anxieties over the United States’ increasingly assertive foreign policy, marked by the use of economic coercion and a willingness to contemplate military action – even against allies – as China and Russia actively work to diminish Western influence.
Copenhagen, Denmark – A recently published report by the Danish Defense Intelligence Service paints a stark picture of a shifting global landscape, where the United States, under the Trump administration, is increasingly willing to leverage its economic and military power to achieve its objectives. The assessment, released on Wednesday, highlights a growing competition between major global powers, particularly in the strategically vital Arctic region.
The report details Washington’s greater assertiveness, noting that the US is “leveraging economic power, including threats of high tariffs, to assert its will, and the possibility of employing military force – even against allies – is no longer ruled out.” This approach, according to the analysis, is occurring alongside concerted efforts by China and Russia to erode the influence of the West, and specifically the United States, on the world stage.
Arctic Tensions Escalate
Perhaps most concerning for Denmark, a key NATO and European Union member, is the intensifying competition in the Arctic. The report points to President Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark rich in mineral resources. This ambition has been met with opposition from both Russia and much of Europe.
“The strategic importance of the Arctic is rising as the conflict between Russia and the West intensifies,” the report states, “and the growing security and strategic focus on the Arctic by the United States will further accelerate these developments.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly voiced concerns regarding NATO’s activities in the Arctic, pledging to bolster Russia’s military presence in the region.
A Shift Away From Multilateralism
The Danish intelligence assessment echoes broader concerns in Western Europe regarding a perceived “go-it-alone” approach adopted by the United States. This shift, particularly during the Trump administration’s second term, has favored bilateral agreements and partnerships over traditional multilateral alliances like NATO.
According to the report, this change in strategy is creating opportunities for other global powers. “For many countries outside the West, it has become a viable option to forge strategic agreements with China rather than the United States,” the assessment reads. “China and Russia, together with other like-minded states, are seeking to reduce Western – and particularly US – global influence.”
Uncertainty Over US Priorities
The report also highlights growing uncertainty surrounding the future prioritization of US resources. This ambiguity, it argues, provides regional powers with increased flexibility, allowing them to navigate between the United States and China, or to pursue a balanced approach.
The Trump administration’s actions have also raised questions about its commitment to international law. The report cites a series of strikes against alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean as examples of a stepped-up pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, raising concerns about respect for established norms.
The assessment follows the release of a new US national security strategy that characterizes European allies as weak and aims to reassert American dominance in the Western Hemisphere. This strategy, coupled with the US’s increasingly assertive posture, is contributing to a more volatile and unpredictable global security environment.
The Danish Defense Intelligence Service’s report serves as a critical reminder of the complex geopolitical challenges facing the international community, and the need for careful diplomacy and strategic foresight in navigating an era of great power competition.
