“You can say ‘yes’ and we will be very appreciative, or you can say ‘no’ and we will remember.” In a rambling speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, US President Donald Trump underlined his designs on Greenland—“a big, beautiful piece of ice” and a Danish territory—but ruled out the use of military force. The threat had plunged NATO into its deepest crisis yet. The alliance lives on, until the next time.
The Europeans will remember, too. Their attempts at gaining greater independence, however, lack strategic vision and direction. In the era of the “Trump Doctrine,” these are dangerous shortcomings. Published on the occasion of the Munich Security Conference 2026, this (second) special issue of IPQ offers views and thoughts on the way ahead.
Henning Hoff is executive editor of INTERNATIONALE POLITIK QUARTERLY.
