Post by Last Week in Denmark

Twenty-five days into 2026, and the direction of the world is already clear. Across the globe, countries are investing heavily in military power, weapons, training, and defense capacity, and there is no sign of that trend slowing down. Security has become non-negotiable. As large states increasingly behave like bullies toward smaller ones, the logic of deterrence takes over, and the demand for force that can match force grows stronger. This is not ideology. It is the reality that states respond to when the rules feel less clear than they once did. The price of this shift is high. Expanding military capacity means fewer resources for welfare systems that were built to support education, healthcare, and individual opportunity. The long period of relative peace that allowed societies to focus on social and technological progress is ending, and we are entering a different era. Some will call it a new Cold War. Others will argue that history does not repeat itself so neatly. What matters more is the shared feeling that the ground is moving. Tension has been building for years, and history reminds us that such pressure rarely dissolves by itself. Should we be afraid in these times? NO. Fear has never been a useful long-term strategy, and as individuals there is very little we can do to influence the decisions being made far above our heads. A small number of people will always shape the fate of millions. Power has a habit of breeding boredom, and boredom often seeks impact. That does not mean collapse is inevitable. It means reality changes, and humans adapt. If there is one thing we are exceptionally good at, it is adjusting to new circumstances, even uncomfortable ones. So live your life. Do not pause it in anticipation of disaster. If something truly disruptive happens, you will have time to choose how you respond and what role you want to play. Preparing is not a bad idea, but preparation should come from curiosity, not fear. Learn skills. Build resilience. Not because you are scared of the future, but because change can also bring a break from monotony and a chance to redefine purpose. What you can do right now is simple. Be kind, especially to American and Greenlandic people around you. Being associated with an enemy state has never ended well anywhere in history, and living with the idea that your homeland could be occupied creates real anxiety. Small gestures matter more than statements. Invite people over. Have conversations. Show that care wins over politics. And to our American readers: Wherever you come from, you are now internationals living in Denmark. One of us. What your former country does does not define who you are, and you owe no one an apology for it. Belonging is built through everyday life, not passports. And if history forces a choice, people choose the place where they are trusted and included. Here, you are. - Editorial for this week's edition of Last Week in Denmark, written by founder Narcis George Matache