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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTom Cotton: We Should Buy Greenland
New York TimesAfter news leaked last week that President Trump had expressed interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark, his critics predictably derided him as crazy. But once again, the president is crazy like a fox. The acquisition of Greenland would secure vital strategic interests for the United States, economically benefit both us and Greenlanders, and would be in keeping with American and Danish diplomatic traditions.
Strategically positioned in the Arctic Circle, Greenland has long attracted the attention of American policymakers. As far back as 1867, Secretary of State William Seward explored the acquisition of Greenland around the time that he negotiated the purchase of Alaska from the Russians. I myself raised the prospect of acquiring Greenland with the Danish ambassador just last year.
In 1946, the Truman administration offered $100 million to Denmark to acquire Greenland, arguing that the island was indispensable to the safety of the United States in confronting the growing Soviet threat, just as it had been in World War II when American forces used bases in Greenland to deter Nazi aggression. While the deal didnt go through, we kept troops on the island throughout the Cold War. Today, the Air Forces 21st Space Wing is stationed at Thule Air Base in western Greenland to support our ballistic-missile defenses and space missions.
America is not the only nation to recognize Greenlands strategic significance. Intent on securing a foothold in the Arctic and North America, China attempted in 2016 to purchase an old American naval base in Greenland, a move the Danish government prevented. Two years later, China was back at it, attempting to build three airports on the island, which failed only after intense lobbying of the Danes by the Trump administration.
Strategically positioned in the Arctic Circle, Greenland has long attracted the attention of American policymakers. As far back as 1867, Secretary of State William Seward explored the acquisition of Greenland around the time that he negotiated the purchase of Alaska from the Russians. I myself raised the prospect of acquiring Greenland with the Danish ambassador just last year.
In 1946, the Truman administration offered $100 million to Denmark to acquire Greenland, arguing that the island was indispensable to the safety of the United States in confronting the growing Soviet threat, just as it had been in World War II when American forces used bases in Greenland to deter Nazi aggression. While the deal didnt go through, we kept troops on the island throughout the Cold War. Today, the Air Forces 21st Space Wing is stationed at Thule Air Base in western Greenland to support our ballistic-missile defenses and space missions.
America is not the only nation to recognize Greenlands strategic significance. Intent on securing a foothold in the Arctic and North America, China attempted in 2016 to purchase an old American naval base in Greenland, a move the Danish government prevented. Two years later, China was back at it, attempting to build three airports on the island, which failed only after intense lobbying of the Danes by the Trump administration.
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Tom Cotton: We Should Buy Greenland (Original Post)
brooklynite
Aug 2019
OP
I don't think Trump cares about either strategic importance or natural resources...
brooklynite
Aug 2019
#4
madaboutharry
(40,212 posts)1. Did Mr. Cotton not get the message?
The Danish Government made it clear: Greenland is not for sale.
In other news: Tom Cotton is an idiot.
ProfessorGAC
(65,076 posts)2. A Republican Pretending 45 Has A Good Idea
Unsurprising, and proof they're both stupid.
Seward thought it was a good idea. Duh! 140 years ago there were no planes, missiles, satellites, et all
It's just another land mass.
CatMor
(6,212 posts)3. No way do I think trump is crazy like a fox ..
that implies he's smart. He is just plain crazy and stupid. Looks like someone else gave him the idea. Not sure but I think Cotton is stupid too.
brooklynite
(94,598 posts)4. I don't think Trump cares about either strategic importance or natural resources...
I think he just loves the idea of a big REAL ESTATE deal to mark his Presidency.
CatMor
(6,212 posts)5. I agree with you 100 percent.