Battle Lines – The Telegraph
Episode: "‘Trump is damaging NATO’: ex-commander speaks out on Greenland threats"
Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delves into escalating tensions within NATO as President Trump demands that Greenland be ceded to the United States, threatening economic reprisals and heightening fears of an existential crisis for the alliance. Through insider analysis and exclusive interviews—including with former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Philip Breedlove—the episode explores the broader meaning of Trump’s moves for NATO, the transatlantic relationship, U.S. military posture, and the U.S.-Europe dynamic in the face of rising Russian and Chinese assertiveness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Escalating Threats Over Greenland

(02:07 – 07:29)

• Recap of Events:
  Trump demanded that Greenland be turned over to the U.S., threatening escalating tariffs (10%, rising to 25%) on the UK and seven other European nations if his demands are not met.
• European Response:
  • EU considering activating an “anti-coercion law”—typically used against adversaries—now pointed at the U.S. (02:34)
  • Macron pushes for "strength", while UK PM Keir Starmer favors a calm, non-retaliatory stance.
  • The UK is in a delicate position, being outside the EU.
• Underlying Motives:
  Venetian Rainey reads Trump’s extraordinary letter to the Norwegian PM, revealing petulance over not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize:

  “Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars ... I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace ... The world is not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland.” (04:10)

  • The commentators debate whether the issue is really about the Nobel or a negotiating tactic.

Memorable quote:

"If this goes through, everyone tells me it's the end of NATO, but no one really seems to have thought through what that means."
— Roland Oliphant (03:46)

2. The Prospect of Military Escalation

(06:06 – 07:29)

• Trump hints at using military force in Greenland.
• Keir Starmer (UK PM) believes escalation will remain economic, not military:

  "I think that this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion ..." (06:25)

• Roland Oliphant warns that short of direct invasion, the U.S. has powerful means (sanctions, military withdrawals, selective aid cuts) to pressure Europe.

3. US Military Posture Under Trump (Comparative Data)

(07:29 – 08:41)

• Under Trump’s second term (first year):
  • 1,038 U.S. military actions, nearly 700 air/drone strikes, and 1,200 fatalities.
  • Biden over four years: 1,648 actions, 1,500 fatalities, across 37 countries.
  • New theaters under Trump include Iran, Nigeria, and Venezuela.
• This prompts the question: could Denmark be next, should tensions worsen over Greenland?

4. NATO’s Existential Crossroads

(08:41 – 10:01)

• NATO Secretary General Mark Ritter is silent, his hands tied amid dispute between allies.
• Uncertainty prevails over what NATO would actually do if the U.S. acted against Denmark:

  "... The answer seems to be NATO would be finished, or at least NATO with America ..." (08:56)

• Broader contradiction of Trump’s approach: wanting selective U.S. global engagement without full superpower responsibility.

Feature Interview: Philip Breedlove, Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe

(10:01 – 25:50)

On Military Action Against Allies

"The idea that America would attack an ally, or the property of an ally, or use force to coerce an American ally, it is a non-starter. Just speaking of it is causing a lot of damage." (10:45)

• Emphasizes that U.S. force against a NATO ally is "beyond the pale" and "makes no sense whatsoever."
• Greenland’s security is not in question; U.S. troop reductions there contradict the supposed crisis.

Underlying Motives

• Suggests U.S. interest is not about security but about natural resources:

  "There are other things in Greenland that any nation would like to have. We'll just leave it at that." (12:49)

• Venetia Rainey: "Minerals, natural resources ..."
• Breedlove: (pause, does not elaborate).

On NATO’s Importance and Russia’s Aggression

"NATO is the most successful alliance in the history of the world ... If you reward bad behavior, you’re going to get more bad behavior." (13:05)

• Cites repeated failures to deter Russia as dangerous precedents.

On Trump’s Role and the Ukraine War

"I think Mr. Putin has flirted with disaster because he has risen the ire of the president. ... We have to remember, Putin is the aggressor." (15:38)

• Breedlove stops short of direct criticism but insists Western policy must remember Russian culpability.

On Obeying Orders, Legal Boundaries

When asked if he’d follow a Trump order to invade Greenland:

"If I had been commanded to invade another NATO ally, I would have said no. ... We are not bound to execute illegal and immoral orders."
— (16:49)

• Stresses that treaties are legally binding and U.S. officers must refuse illegal commands.

On U.S. Military and Trump’s Impact

"The President has said more than once that he has fixed our military. I would argue a little differently ... The U.S. Air Force is now the smallest and oldest it has ever been." (20:12)

• Material readiness and force size are at historic lows; investment is starting but decades behind needs.

U.S. Global Posture Shift & “Sphere of Influence” Policy

• Administration accused by some of shifting to a hemispheric focus, downplaying European priorities:

  "The people that hold that view ... are basically reading that from what our national security strategy says, which is we are now, number one in our mind is the Western Hemisphere, number two ... China, then comes Europe and the others." (22:17)

On Venezuela Operation

"Our military forces executed a nearly perfect attack and rendition [of Maduro] ... From a purely military stance, it was extremely well done." (25:05)

Notable Moment

When asked if he wants to share more:

"Yeah, I think I'll skip it. There is something I want to say, but it would be on the front page of every paper in America tomorrow. So, I'm going to leave it at that." (25:38)

On-the-Ground: Reporting from Washington – Connor Stringer

(28:00 – 41:41)

The Trump White House from a Journalist’s Perspective

(28:47 – 30:27)

• "Relentless, non-stop" describes the Trump admin’s pace and unpredictability.
• Trump’s team is highly prepared, acts fast, frequently bypasses norms.

Washington Highlights and Lowlights

(30:27 – 32:11)

• Highlights: Following Trump-Putin summit in Alaska; witnessing dramatic twists around Ukraine and Russia.
• Low points: Few, but “an absolute whirlwind”—the scale of events described as unprecedented.

Meeting Trump in Person

(32:11 – 33:29)

• Trump is "much taller" and has compelling charisma; comfortable in the spotlight, what-you-see-is-what-you-get.

UK–US Relations Under Strain

(33:52 – 36:01)

• "The special relationship ... has been tested, arguably frayed ... Trump coming in from the get go and kind of ripping up the norms."
• UK benefited from appealing to Trump’s fascination with the Royals to salvage diplomatic ties.
• Difficult trade negotiations; tech deals have collapsed; Trump negotiates hard.

Keir Starmer’s Tactics

(36:08 – 37:59)

• Starmer enjoys surprisingly good personal rapport with Trump, "because he thinks Starmer looks the part" (36:24).
• UK’s challenge: Balance peacekeeper role with not provoking Trump’s wrath while defending British interests.

Trump's Most Significant First-Year Actions

(37:59 – 39:37)

• Most significant: Siding with Putin on Ukraine—“the big shock,” forcing Europe to act in rare unity.
• Honorable mentions:
  • The “12-Day War” (Israel-Iran)
  • The Venezuela operation
  • Persistent Greenland threats

Looking Forward: U.S. Midterms and Foreign Policy

(39:56 – 41:41)

• Midterms are the next big challenge; Trump racing to implement policy before likely losses.
• Foreign focus not playing well with Trump’s base, who want "no more foreign wars."
• Kitchen-table economic issues will define electoral outcomes.

Notable Quotes

• Philip Breedlove:

  "America would use force on a NATO ally is beyond the pale ... makes no sense whatsoever." [10:45]
  "We’re not bound to execute illegal and immoral orders." [16:49]
  "NATO is the most successful alliance in the history of the world." [13:05]

• Roland Oliphant:

  "If this goes through, everyone tells me it's the end of NATO, but no one really seems to have thought through what that means." [03:46]

• Venetia Rainey:

  "How are you supposed to deal with that?" (on Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize grievance and Greenland) [05:01]

• Connor Stringer:

  "Trump is himself 24/7 ... he draws attention immediately. He’s extremely charismatic, very charming." [32:11]
  "The special relationship ... has been tested, arguably frayed, but at least pooled in ways in which it has never been before." [33:52]

Timestamps of Major Segments

• 02:07 – 07:29: Trump’s escalation over Greenland and European response
• 07:29 – 08:41: U.S. military strike data under Trump vs. Biden
• 08:41 – 10:01: NATO’s predicament and American global strategy contradictions
• 10:01 – 25:50: Interview with Gen. Philip Breedlove (NATO, military orders, U.S. readiness, Venezuela)
• 28:47 – 41:41: Connor Stringer on the Trump White House, UK–US relations, and the year’s major shocks

Takeaways

• Trump’s aggressive tactics on Greenland threaten to fracture NATO and upend the transatlantic alliance.
• European governments are divided and uncertain about how to respond, with debate over retaliation vs. calm.
• Within U.S. military circles, the idea of attacking a NATO ally is seen as unthinkable and damaging even in rhetoric.
• The Trump administration has markedly changed America’s global military posture, with a new focus on hemispheric priorities and a willingness to disrupt established alliances.
• On the ground in Washington, the experience of Trump’s unprecedented pace, chaos, and showmanship is both exhausting and historic.
• The outcome of escalating tensions—over Greenland, Ukraine, or broader U.S. foreign policy—is highly uncertain, with midterm elections likely to intensify pressures on the administration.

For listeners and policymakers alike, this episode serves as both a front-row seat to an unfolding transatlantic crisis and a sobering conversation about the future of collective security in an era of unpredictable American leadership.