Home
Connexion
S'inscrire
Loading...
Pratique d'écoute
Écouter
/
Video
/
The Infographics Show
/
This is What Happens if the US Invades Greenland (Hour by Hour)
This is What Happens if the US Invades Greenland (Hour by Hour)
Choisir le mode d'apprentissage:
Voir les sous-titres
Choisir le mot
Réécrire le mot
Highlight:
3000 Oxford Words
4000 IELTS Words
5000 Oxford Words
3000 Common Words
1000 TOEIC Words
5000 TOEFL Words
Sous-titres (245)
0:00
This is what will happen if the USA invades Greenland.
0:03
Zero Hour
0:04
All attempts at diplomacy have failed, so the American president sees no other option left
0:08
on the table. He makes the call and issues the order. U.S. forces are to carry out a
0:12
full-scale invasion of Greenland and seize control of the island territory… by force.
0:17
While the American military has extensive experience of operating in some of the most
0:21
arid environments on earth, Greenland represents a very different prospect.
0:25
Because here, the enemy isn’t an army. It’s the Arctic.
0:28
The largest island on the planet, Greenland extends across approximately 836,000 square
0:33
miles (2.16 million square kilometers) of land, around 80% of which is covered
0:36
by the enormous Greenland Ice Sheet – the second largest body of ice in the world.
0:41
Its challenging climate and geography make it one of the most inhospitable locations on earth. And
0:46
that’s why it has such a small population, with just 57,000 people calling Greenland home and
0:51
more than a third of those – around 20,000, to be precise – living in the capital city, Nuuk.
0:56
This is a mission unlike any the U.S. has ever encountered before.
1:00
Because the U.S. can take Greenland fast. The real question is whether it can hold it.
1:05
1 Hour Instead of just nuking Nuuk, they map
1:08
the battlespace, weigh up every option, and pick the exact assets and tactics that can end this
1:13
fast - with minimal risk. This has to hit with speed and precision, leaving the rest of the world
1:18
barely a window to react… let alone interfere. Vast carrier strike groups have been formed
1:23
and are already sailing across the Atlantic towards Greenland. On their decks are some
1:26
of America’s most fearsome fighter jets, such as F-22s and F-35s - all ready to launch at
1:32
a moment’s notice. Above them, AEW&C aircraft begin wide, circling sweeps, while drone teams
1:38
and patrol planes fan out across the ocean, searching for anything that doesn’t belong.
1:43
Cruisers and special operations support ships ride alongside them, built for raids,
1:47
insertions, and the ugly work that happens up close. And beneath it all,
1:51
a couple of submarines slide through the dark water. Thousands of soldiers move with the fleet.
1:56
And at this point, the invasion isn’t coming. It’s already en route.
1:59
But a military movement this massive doesn’t stay secret for long. It doesn’t take long for
2:04
the rest of the world to spot the patterns - and realize exactly what’s happening.
2:08
1 Hour 30 minutes Panic rapidly sets in, particularly among
2:11
the nations of the NATO alliance - which have all agreed to defend one another, in accordance
2:16
with the North Atlantic Treaty’s Article 5. It states that any attack on any member nation is
2:21
considered an attack on the entire alliance. But NATO has never had to deal with anything
2:26
like this, in which one of its own member states invades another.
2:29
As world leaders open frantic discussions and organize emergency meetings, the alliance
2:34
prepares to face its biggest test yet. And whatever they decide next rewrites
2:38
the entire world order. 2 Hours
2:40
The American armada draws closer and closer to the coasts of Greenland with every passing minute.
2:45
As America’s assets draw nearer to their target, the operation shifts into its next phase.
2:50
One of the U.S.’ core objectives is to cut the island off from any outside
2:54
communications in order to minimize the risk of external interference.
2:57
Electronic warfare aircraft, like EA18G Growlers – specialized versions of the F/A-18F
3:04
Super Hornet – take to the skies, equipped with advanced EW equipment to jam radars and cut comms.
3:10
This isn’t an airstrike. It’s a blackout. In a matter of minutes, Greenland is isolated.
3:15
With no consistent lines of communication between its capital, Nuuk, and the Danish government in
3:20
Copenhagen, the island has gone dark. To ensure that the Growlers’ aren’t
3:24
intercepted or interfered with in any way, a fleet of F-22s and F-35s are deployed. Super stealthy,
3:29
lightning fast, and equipped with some of the most advanced avionics and most powerful
3:34
weaponry on the planet, these jets quickly assume control of Greenlandic airspace, almost instantly
3:39
establishing a no-fly zone across the island. Even if NATO nations deploy their own fighter
3:44
jets, they’ll face a real test going up against America’s highly-trained pilots.
3:48
3 Hours At this stage of the invasion,
3:50
the U.S. has the luxury of being able to act with confidence and decisiveness. They know Greenland
3:55
has no military to speak of, relying instead on the protection of Denmark and other NATO nations.
4:00
This isn’t like any of America’s previous military operations in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.
4:05
There’s no swathes of hostile forces on the ground or layered air defense systems to contend with.
4:10
U.S. forces don’t need to worry about orchestrated bombing runs to disable Greenland’s defenses.
4:15
They don’t need to attack large troop and armor concentrations on the ground. Nor
4:19
do they have to fear any advanced fighter jets taking off from Greenland’s runways
4:23
to engage in dogfights with American F-35s. This isn’t going to be a grinding war - at least
4:28
not at first. In the early hours, resistance is minimal… just enough to be dangerous. That
4:33
opening gap is all the U.S. needs. And once that gap closes,
4:37
the invasion becomes an occupation. Objectives get seized fast - driven by veteran
4:41
operators and commanders who’ve done this before, and know exactly how to make it end quickly
4:46
4 Hours Once the jets have achieved
4:48
air superiority, additional aircraft start taking off from the Atlantic Ocean aircraft carriers.
4:53
Transport aircraft - C-17 Globemaster IIIs - roar into the sky, packed with troops and
4:58
equipment. Hundreds… then thousands… are flown off the carriers and dropped
5:02
straight onto Greenland’s most strategic ground. The priority targets are obvious, and they’re hit
5:07
first. Airports. Transport hubs. The arteries that keep the island connected to the outside world.
5:12
Places like Narsarsuaq and Kangerlussuaq. And then the biggest prize of all - Nuuk.
5:17
The capital. The main international airport. Even in a sparsely populated and poorly-defended
5:22
location like Greenland, for an invasion to be successful, any invading force needs to
5:26
be able to get boots on the ground - as well as tanks, armored vehicles, and other assets.
5:31
But getting assets onto Greenland isn’t easy. There aren’t many places on Greenland where the
5:36
U.S. can land safely - where heavy aircraft can touch down, unload,
5:39
and keep moving. That’s why locations like Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk become vital targets.
5:44
The U.S. doesn’t just target cities… it targets choke points.
5:48
The Globemasters set off in different directions, deploying
5:51
scores of armed paratroopers onto key targets. Facing no real resistance, apart from protesting
5:56
civilians and frustrated local officials, America’s soldiers quickly seize control of
6:00
the island’s transport hubs. Commanders would give the order for additional assets to enter the area.
6:06
12 Hours Arleigh Burke class destroyers depart the
6:09
carrier strike group, situated off the southern shore of the island. They escort amphibious
6:13
docks and landing craft towards the capital and primary port in Nuuk. Upon arrival, hovercraft
6:18
carrying marines and specialized arctic vehicles make their way onto the Greenlandic territory.
6:23
U.S. personnel taking control of the port, most likely without even having to fire a single shot.
6:28
Meanwhile, out in the surrounding waters, U.S. Navy forces deter any
6:31
forces from interfering in their operations. They try to seal the GIUK gap - an area of
6:37
water between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom. It's a strategic choke point,
6:42
one that can cut the Norwegian and North Seas off from the wider Atlantic… and trap anything
6:46
that tries to slip through. The Scandinavian nations,
6:49
which are all part of NATO, as well as Russia, sit on the other side of the gap.
6:53
The U.S. doesn’t want a single hostile asset entering the area while it locks the island down.
6:58
Airborne early warning aircraft and patrol vessels scan the surrounding skies and seas for any signs
7:03
of suspicious activity. Virginia-class attack submarines sink down to the deepest depths of
7:07
the Atlantic Ocean, using state of the art sonar technology to hunt down and deter any Russian subs
7:13
or other assets from coming too close. The naval blockade should, in theory,
7:17
give U.S. forces the time and freedom they need to complete their mission.
7:21
But that depends on how other nations react. And that is the most dangerous part.
7:25
Day 2 NATO leaders
7:27
convene to discuss their next steps. Denmark invokes Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
7:32
While Article 5 is very clear about any attack on a single member being treated
7:36
as an attack on the entire alliance, there’s never been a situation quite like this before.
7:41
With no precedent to refer to, leaders struggle to come to any unanimous decision on how to respond.
7:46
Some want to honor the alliance, as they have always vowed to do, taking up arms and
7:50
deploying military forces to defend Greenland and Denmark. Others argue that taking military
7:55
action against America would be certain death - in more ways than one, given the vast strength
7:59
of the U.S. Armed Forces. And whichever side wins
8:02
this argument changes everything. With the biggest military budget on Earth,
8:06
more than 1.3 million active troops, the most dominant air power ever assembled, and one of the
8:12
largest navies on the planet, the U.S. doesn’t just bring force - it brings inevitability.
8:17
In sheer capability, in reach, in speed, the United States isn’t
8:20
just a superpower - it’s the strongest military machine the world has ever seen.
8:25
No other NATO country comes close. Denmark, the country most eager to take
8:29
immediate action against the U.S., currently sits 45th in the Global Firepower rankings
8:34
of the world’s strongest military powers. With 21,000 active personnel and just 12,000
8:40
more in reserve, its army is a mere fraction of the size of America’s. Its air force is comprised
8:44
of barely 100 assets. Meanwhile, its naval force is almost non-existent, made up of small numbers
8:50
of frigates, patrol vessels, and mine warfare vessels. The Danish land force, too, would have
8:55
zero chance against an adversary of America’s size, boasting a few dozen tanks in total.
9:00
Denmark isn’t asking for help… it’s demanding it. It needs the support of its many allies across
9:05
the NATO alliance - many of which have far stronger and much more serious military
9:10
forces at their disposal. The United Kingdom sits 8th in the Global Firepower rankings,
9:14
France takes the 6th place, and other countries that are reasonably well-prepared for combat, such
9:18
as Germany, Italy, Turkiye, Spain, and Poland. But individually, these nations would
9:23
have little hope against the U.S. Combined, they’ll struggle against
9:27
the world’s strongest military. But, at the very least, they have the potential to deal
9:31
serious damage or take major steps to deter any further American aggression in the area.
9:36
Even so, none of those nations are eager to step into a confrontation that puts lives on
9:41
the line - on either side - and risks spiraling into something far bigger… something irreversible.
9:46
Instead, they agree to exercise other methods of deterrence - leveraging economic systems
9:50
to pile pressure on the U.S. and urge its leadership to reconsider.
9:54
European leaders threaten to rip up trade deals with America, impose tariffs on American goods
9:59
and services and evict American businesses from their territories. They also threaten to freeze
10:04
American assets, like the approximately $3.6 trillion worth of U.S. treasuries
10:09
held by Europe today - that represents 40% of all of America’s foreign holdings.
10:14
Meanwhile, elsewhere around the world, lawmakers, leaders, and local
10:17
populations would react to the situation. Markets become volatile and unpredictable,
10:22
people protest in the streets, and opinions become increasingly divided about America’s
10:26
actions. Some argue that a seizure of Greenland is in the country’s best interests. Others
10:31
express immense anger and regret over an act that could destroy NATO entirely.
10:35
The world descends into a state of chaos and panic,
10:38
as representatives of 31 different NATO nations struggle to decide on their next best steps.
10:43
And while they argue… the U.S. keeps building its grip.
10:47
Day 3 America’s biggest rivals–
10:49
Russia and China – move to exploit the situation for their benefit. They condemn America’s actions
10:54
and call for harsh sanctions and other punishments against the United States. They want to strengthen
10:59
their geopolitical standing, however they can. The U.S. is temporarily able to take advantage of
11:03
NATO’s indecision and world leaders’ hesitancy, seizing the opportunity to push on and fortify
11:09
its position on the island. Even if it has to contend with military action from its allies,
11:13
it's more than ready to do so. Day 7
11:16
By the end of the first week, the U.S. easily establishes total control of all major transport
11:21
hubs, from ports to airports. It continues to build up a serious presence in the capital city,
11:26
while also continuing to enjoy aerial dominance and a firm naval blockade around the island.
11:31
That, however, is when things get much more difficult.
11:33
Because Greenland is not like any other location that the
11:36
U.S. military has ever operated in before. It is cold, it is inhospitable, and it does
11:42
not have the kind of infrastructure or transport links that most other places on earth have.
11:46
Greenland doesn’t have a neat web of highways tying everything together. There are no easy
11:51
supply routes, no fast overland pushes. Most towns are isolated, separated by brutal distance - and
11:57
vast stretches of terrain that are nearly impossible to cross by conventional means.
12:01
Ice fields. Whiteout snowstorms. Sudden weather shifts that can swallow vehicles, stall movement,
12:07
and turn a simple journey into a survival problem. And that's the problem.
12:11
Even with overwhelming force, U.S. units struggle to move quickly, lock down scattered towns and
12:16
infrastructure, and build the kind of supply lines an occupation depends on.
12:20
Heavy tanks and large armored vehicles have next to no chance of making their way safely
12:24
across the territory’s frosty landscapes. As a result, the U.S. has to resort to
12:29
alternative methods - airlifting lighter vehicles, such as M10 Bookers and Strykers,
12:34
to key locations in order to establish defensive zones and fortify its positions.
12:38
Thousands of Navy Seabees – expert combat construction workers – are deployed and make
12:43
their way across the island. They work quickly to establish the infrastructure America needs. They
12:48
are tasked with expanding America’s pre-existing military base on the island – Pituffik Space
12:52
Base – which is situated on the territory’s northwest coast. It’s transformed into a
12:57
multi-domain hub for fighter jets, missile defense systems, and other high value military assets.
13:02
Construction crews work to expand Greenland’s dual-use ports and
13:06
lay down the infrastructure needed to host the U.S. Navy destroyers, submarines, and
13:10
other vessels. Piers get reinforced. Facilities go up. Storage is carved into the coastline.
13:15
It’s not just about ships - it’s about control. These ports become the answer to Greenland’s
13:20
brutal logistics, creating a steady funnel for troops, fuel, equipment, and supplies flowing
13:25
straight from the U.S. and into the island… turning the island into a permanent foothold.
13:30
It’s an enormous challenge for all involved, with no easy options on the table.
13:34
Week 2 The U.S. moves fast to lock down the island.
13:38
The elements are punishing, the infrastructure is thin - but for now, it’s under control.
13:42
Then the real problem begins. Because the next challenge
13:45
isn’t logistical. It’s human. Greenland’s population may be small… but it’s passionate.
13:51
The people here take great pride in their land and their cultural identity, and most, if not all,
13:55
would not take kindly to an invading force rushing in and seizing control of their cities and lands.
14:00
Greenlanders don’t respond with outright violence - not on a military scale. They
14:04
don’t have the weapons, the numbers, or the equipment to fight the U.S. head-on.
14:08
But that doesn’t mean they’re powerless. Even without an army,
14:11
they can still turn every step of America’s plan into a slower, harder, more expensive grind
14:16
Local civil servants go on strike, refusing to comply with the occupiers’ orders. Protests
14:21
make their presence known in the towns and cities. Before long, the sheer challenge of
14:25
governing an Arctic territory this vast starts to sink in for American officials on the ground.
14:30
This is what occupation looks like. Slow, grinding and expensive.
14:34
News of the invasion dominates global headlines. America’s credibility has taken a serious hit,
14:39
with many people across the world sympathizing with the Greenlanders.
14:43
NATO, after days of indecision, inevitably begins to fracture. Leaders attempt to
14:47
express unity in public statements - but behind closed doors, it’s a scene of constant clashes,
14:52
bitter disagreements, and a growing realization that they’re no longer moving as one.
14:56
Leading members of the alliance push for economic sanctions against the U.S.,
15:00
promising harsher penalties unless the invasion is called off. Some of America’s closest allies,
15:05
like the United Kingdom, start issuing threats that would’ve been unthinkable weeks earlier.
15:10
End cooperation with Washington. Reconsider intelligence-sharing. Sever diplomatic ties.
15:15
Drag the U.S. into international courts. Some countries want to go further,
15:19
drawing up plans to deploy troops or other assets to Greenland. Global power alliances start to
15:24
crumble and the face of geopolitics is changed for generations to come.
15:28
At this stage, America is faced with one last opportunity, and has an important decision
15:32
to make. Week 3
15:34
On the ground in Greenland, U.S. construction crews get to work immediately - expanding ports,
15:39
reinforcing airfields, upgrading roads where they can, and building
15:42
entirely new facilities from scratch. Not just to hold the island… but to use it.
15:46
Every new structure is a statement of intent - to turn Greenland’s strategic location into a
15:51
permanent advantage. The rich natural resources are something America can extract, control,
15:56
and profit from - before anyone else can stop it. Month 1
16:00
American mining companies begin operations on the island, and the number of U.S. personnel on
16:04
the territory multiplies - going from hundred to thousands. U.S. leadership deals with the legal
16:09
challenges, logistical difficulties, and rising levels of domestic and international pressure.
16:14
But as the months drag on, new problems start piling up.
16:17
Holding Greenland isn’t just about capturing it - it’s about running it. Maintaining security
16:22
across a vast, empty landscape. Keeping order in scattered towns. Protecting infrastructure
16:26
that’s exposed to weather, distance, and sabotage. And at the same time, the U.S. has to keep basic
16:32
services running for civilians - food, heat, medical support, transport. If that system
16:37
collapses, control doesn’t just weaken… it risks turning into a humanitarian disaster
16:41
the entire world will watch in real time. International isolation strain supply lines,
16:46
and the costs of the operation run the risk of exceeding initial estimates.
16:50
Greenlanders, meanwhile, continue to resist, not just for weeks and months - but for years
16:55
following the invasion. They never fully acquiesce to America’s demands or recognize its authority.
17:00
But the costs keep climbing. The logistics stay brutal. And the occupation becomes
17:04
more complicated by the week. At this stage, the U.S. has
17:07
two options - dig in… or find an exit. Eventually, Washington shifts course.
17:12
Instead of doubling down, the U.S. begins pushing for a negotiated de-escalation - working with NATO
17:17
partners and allies to hammer out a deal that pulls the crisis back from the edge.
17:22
It likely isn’t a full retreat. More like a trade. A partial withdrawal of troops…
17:26
in exchange for stronger long-term control over Greenland’s resources, basing rights,
17:30
and security arrangements moving forward. Either way, the invasion itself meets minimal
17:34
military resistance. The real fight comes after. Because the consequences don’t fade.
17:40
America’s global standing takes a hit that may never fully recover.
17:43
Alliances that took generations to build begin to crack, or collapse outright. And in the vacuum,
17:48
rivals like Russia and China move to seize momentum, expanding their
17:52
influence as Washington loses credibility. What starts as a fast operation in the Arctic
17:57
could end as something far larger… the most dangerous global crisis since the Cold War
18:02
Now go check out Why USA Leaving NATO Will Cause World War 3. Or click on this video instead.
