The End of an Era: Donald Trump’s Greenland Annexation and the Collapse of Global Order in 2026

A superpower is choosing to self-immolate. As of January 22, 2026, the world is witnessing the official end of the grand experiment in a rules-based international order. While global elites gather in a rattled Davos, Denmark and its European allies are taking the unthinkable step of building a military force in Greenland to deter an annexation by the United States.

The Unprecedented Crisis over Greenland Annexation

President Donald Trump's pursuit of Greenland—a territory of 57,000 people covered by mile-thick ice—is being described as his most unhinged 'side quest' yet. In a recent interview with the New York Times, Trump admitted the motivation was psychological, stating, "That’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success."

This imperial ambition finds little support at home. Only 17 percent of Americans support the push, and a staggering 4 percent think military force is justified. For context, 13 percent of the population believes in Bigfoot. Despite the data, the administration claims a 'deal' with NATO is in the works, even as Trump confused Greenland with 'Iceland' multiple times during his Davos speech.

Dismantling the Six Pillars of American Hegemony

For 80 years, US power rested on six foundational pillars that Trump is now systematically dismantling. These pillars—unfettered immigration to top universities, government research support, open trade access, the rule of law, a robust military alliance network, and the US Dollar as the reserve currency—have been the bedrock of global innovation.

The tragic irony is that Denmark, once among America’s staunchest allies who suffered the third-highest per capita death toll fighting alongside the US in Afghanistan, is now forced to treat its former protector as a territorial threat. This shift marks a departure from the Westphalian era of state sovereignty toward a volatile new reality.