Other NATO countries can certainly deploy and sustain forces there if they choose. The U.S. isn’t the only NATO member that has sustained expeditionary ops for years.
Does that mean they would win if the U.S. actually decided to go to war over Denmark and knock out any forces sent to oppose them? Probably not. But they can certainly sustain enough of a force there that that would be the only way for aTrump to get what he wants, forcing him to weigh the domestic political costs of such a COA.
Placing my bets today, and admitting that in this universe tomrrow is a complete unknown, I think that the real work is being done off camera by people saying the equivalent of "help me out here, you don't want to talk to the boss".
I think in that universe, where Carney is negotiating a long term relationship with a neighbour that we can't escape and who has no intention of moving away, Carney is probably not wrong to keep his powder dry and stay away from the negotiating table aslong as he can. Keep an eye on developments and let deeds show intent where we know that words are inconsequential and see what low cost opportunities there are to sweeten the pot.
I asked about Light Infantry Battalions falling in as the planned Light Infantry Regiment and was told that the battalions are employable today. There is already a plan in place to focus more effort on the Arctic.
I have stated before that I believe that our trade agreements with the US non-coincidentally occur at the same time as our military agreements. Trump has made specfic allusions to linking security and trade.
CUSMA needs to be renewed before Dominion Day (July 1st).
Concurrently that is the date by which Alberta has to submit a pipeline proposal.
Why do I feel that, for Canada, there will be a world before that day and a world after that day?
Would it be outlandish to see the CAF stand up a more robust JTFN at the 2 star level, equipped with the expressed intent to operate across our North and across borders? Something that could be put in the shop window in a short period of time?
Something that incorporates all the new sensor technology, that takes advantage of all the new naval and air platforms, that employs the beefed up Ranger corps as well as the Light Infantry Regiment and its enablers, and that can slot in with both the US 11th Abn in the west and the European JEF in the east?
