TEHRAN - European leaders have long portrayed themselves as guardians of the international legal order - principled actors committed to sovereignty, multilateralism, and restraint. In contrast to what they often describe as American impulsiveness, Europe’s self-image is rooted in moral seriousness and a respect for rules. However, as tensions escalate between Washington and European capitals over Greenland, that narrative is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.
The Greenland debate has exposed something deeper than a transatlantic disagreement over an Arctic territory. It has revealed a widening gap between Europe’s rhetoric and its recent conduct elsewhere in the world - a gap that undermines its credibility far beyond the Arctic.
At issue is not whether Greenland’s territorial status should be respected. Under international law, the principle of territorial integrity remains fundamental, and few would seriously argue otherwise.
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