President Donald Trump has renewed his push for the United States to acquire Greenland from Denmark, again prompting gasps and outrage from elected Democrats and European elites. But the historical record and geopolitical reality suggest that acquiring the island territory would be not only fair compensation for American involvement in Europe since the start of World War II, but also a critical check against encroaching Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic.
Trump’s latest quip that Greenland’s defense is “two dog sleds” has the global liberal media tripping over itself to “fact-check” this obvious hyperbole and declare Trump an evil imperialist. But Trump is only highlighting a glaring security lapse in what is fast becoming one of the most important regions on the planet. It doesn’t require anything more than basic common sense to understand that Denmark, Europe, the United States, and the entire free world would be better off if Washington, rather than Copenhagen, took the lead on defending Greenland.
The idea of the United States purchasing Greenland is hardly some wild brainstorm cooked up on social media. American leaders proposed buying the island for $5.5 million as far back as 1868, and again offered $100 million in 1946.
The strategic logic was obvious even then. Greenland sits astride vital North Atlantic and Arctic sea routes that are becoming increasingly important in the 21st century. The United States also controls the most significant military installation on the island, the Pituffik Space Base, which plays a critical role in missile warning, space surveillance, and Arctic operations.
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