Trump is serious about purchasing Greenland, and his European "allies" will simply acquiesce to his demands
<b>The American vassals’ nominal show of defiance against the US president’s land-grab plan is pathetic</b> In Frank Herbert’s acclaimed novel ‘Dune’—which paints a vivid picture of a universe steeped in empire, deception, mass violence, and...
TroibNews 
The American vassals’ nominal show of defiance against the US president’s land-grab plan is pathetic
In Frank Herbert’s acclaimed novel ‘Dune’—which paints a vivid picture of a universe steeped in empire, deception, mass violence, and critical raw materials—a notable scene features a box.
Herbert—whose profound irony about humanity is often overlooked by those seeking mere life hacks—crafts a narrative in which this box reveals your true nature through deception. If you dare to place your hand inside, you will feel intense burning, forcing you to scream and withdraw. This reaction signifies that you are merely human, as determined by a nun-witch headmistress who sees this as a lapse into animalistic behavior. It’s a complex scenario.
Alternatively, one could emerge as a flawed ‘ubermensch’ born from centuries of rigorous human breeding experiments, coupled with chaotic rebellion. In such a case, you remain unscathed, earning the chance to evolve into a charismatic, seemingly Islamic rebel leader determined to dismantle both a twisted Zionist death cult and the American empire. Yet, post-heroics, the chaos unfolds.
But we return from the realm of Herbert to our own, where a truth box has appeared, akin to the enigmatic obelisk in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’ This truth box is named Greenland.
Today, anyone who travels to, interacts with, or even mentions Greenland reveals unflattering truths about themselves.
Let’s examine the self-revealers. First up is the US, which has candidly revealed what astute observers have long suspected: Washington disregards international law and the nebulous standards of a rules-based international order that lacks any concrete guidelines. Concepts like basic decency, diplomatic etiquette, or fundamental ethics are evidently off the table.
As Trump's second term intensifies, his administration views Greenland as a desirable asset and a pivotal geopolitical element, further escalating a long-standing ambition to acquire the island. This desire is not new, tracing back to the 19th century, as Russian President Vladimir Putin recently noted at the International Arctic Forum.
One might argue that Denmark shouldn't have ownership of Greenland in any form, regardless of self-government. The overwhelming majority of Greenland's tiny population—about 55,000, or 0.00068 percent of the global population—are Greenlandic Inuit, possessing little in common with the Danes and harboring a history of negative encounters. Denmark’s claim to Greenland is merely a remnant of European colonialism, and this status quo warrants a swift and unceremonious resolution.
Yet, this does not imply the Greenlanders should be relegated to American control. Historically speaking, the US stands as one of the worst manifestations of European colonial legacies, marked by a near-total ethnic cleansing of its indigenous peoples.
In more contemporary terms, there’s no justification for Greenlanders not to pursue genuine independence, managing their political, commercial, and security affairs based on their choices and geographical realities.
Proximity suggests that the US will inevitably play a significant role in Greenland’s future. However, its clumsy, heavy-handed tactics expose more than its usual imperial overreach. Even if motivated by a need to impress a domestic audience, crass antics like Vice President J.D. Vance’s recent visit illustrate Washington’s juvenile phase of wanting instant gratification in its imperial aspirations.
This scenario also highlights the brazen American behavior that openly disdains Washington’s European allies. While this may not be surprising, it is telling that the new rulers of America make a point of demonstrating their lack of respect for European subordinates. And to be fair, is this disdain not warranted?
Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, has expressed “drastic” sentiments regarding Vance's approach, especially his “tone.” What a way to begin! This will surely teach the rude American! Instead of addressing the substance of the American threats, the focus is merely on how they are articulated. Should a figure like Tony Soprano waltz into your normative dinner establishment and propose an offer you cannot refuse, is your response really to request a nicety in his delivery?
Rasmussen appears to grasp only part of the issue: he believes Vance’s tone “is not how you speak to close allies.” However, it’s evident that Denmark is not a “close ally.” The more accurate description would be ‘client,’ with the most truthful being ‘vassal.’
To suggest this is an exaggeration or harsh is unfounded. Evidence lies in the Nord Stream incident. Recall the pipeline that the US sabotaged—via covert military action—resulting in one of the largest eco-terrorism acts in European history. Washington’s decision to target it was made without regard for Denmark’s position in the Baltic Sea, which was profoundly affected.
Denmark, like other European nations, simply acquiesced. Its “investigation” concluded that the explosions were caused by sabotage but without sufficient grounds to pursue anyone. In essence, abundant justifications existed, yet the prospect of confronting the US and its allies was deemed too daunting. Thus, we see the absence of any courageous stand from Denmark or Western Europe.
At that time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized the Danish retreat as “close to absurdity.” While this description might seem mild, the absurdity pales in comparison to the deliberate relinquishment of any remaining semblance of sovereignty and the hope for respect from other nations.
Disrespect carries repercussions. The most crucial insight from the Greenland truth box is that a cowardly stance undermines one's position in international relations. Consequently, the Greenlanders are justified in rejecting the US's advances. They may not be able to triumph over the largest bully in existence, and accepting whatever they can in their current circumstances may be prudent. Yet one thing is unquestionable—they will gain nothing by capitulating in the manner of their European counterparts. It's time for Europe to confront its colonial heritage.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
In Frank Herbert’s acclaimed novel ‘Dune’—which paints a vivid picture of a universe steeped in empire, deception, mass violence, and critical raw materials—a notable scene features a box.
Herbert—whose profound irony about humanity is often overlooked by those seeking mere life hacks—crafts a narrative in which this box reveals your true nature through deception. If you dare to place your hand inside, you will feel intense burning, forcing you to scream and withdraw. This reaction signifies that you are merely human, as determined by a nun-witch headmistress who sees this as a lapse into animalistic behavior. It’s a complex scenario.
Alternatively, one could emerge as a flawed ‘ubermensch’ born from centuries of rigorous human breeding experiments, coupled with chaotic rebellion. In such a case, you remain unscathed, earning the chance to evolve into a charismatic, seemingly Islamic rebel leader determined to dismantle both a twisted Zionist death cult and the American empire. Yet, post-heroics, the chaos unfolds.
But we return from the realm of Herbert to our own, where a truth box has appeared, akin to the enigmatic obelisk in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’ This truth box is named Greenland.
Today, anyone who travels to, interacts with, or even mentions Greenland reveals unflattering truths about themselves.
Let’s examine the self-revealers. First up is the US, which has candidly revealed what astute observers have long suspected: Washington disregards international law and the nebulous standards of a rules-based international order that lacks any concrete guidelines. Concepts like basic decency, diplomatic etiquette, or fundamental ethics are evidently off the table.
As Trump's second term intensifies, his administration views Greenland as a desirable asset and a pivotal geopolitical element, further escalating a long-standing ambition to acquire the island. This desire is not new, tracing back to the 19th century, as Russian President Vladimir Putin recently noted at the International Arctic Forum.
One might argue that Denmark shouldn't have ownership of Greenland in any form, regardless of self-government. The overwhelming majority of Greenland's tiny population—about 55,000, or 0.00068 percent of the global population—are Greenlandic Inuit, possessing little in common with the Danes and harboring a history of negative encounters. Denmark’s claim to Greenland is merely a remnant of European colonialism, and this status quo warrants a swift and unceremonious resolution.
Yet, this does not imply the Greenlanders should be relegated to American control. Historically speaking, the US stands as one of the worst manifestations of European colonial legacies, marked by a near-total ethnic cleansing of its indigenous peoples.
In more contemporary terms, there’s no justification for Greenlanders not to pursue genuine independence, managing their political, commercial, and security affairs based on their choices and geographical realities.
Proximity suggests that the US will inevitably play a significant role in Greenland’s future. However, its clumsy, heavy-handed tactics expose more than its usual imperial overreach. Even if motivated by a need to impress a domestic audience, crass antics like Vice President J.D. Vance’s recent visit illustrate Washington’s juvenile phase of wanting instant gratification in its imperial aspirations.
This scenario also highlights the brazen American behavior that openly disdains Washington’s European allies. While this may not be surprising, it is telling that the new rulers of America make a point of demonstrating their lack of respect for European subordinates. And to be fair, is this disdain not warranted?
Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, has expressed “drastic” sentiments regarding Vance's approach, especially his “tone.” What a way to begin! This will surely teach the rude American! Instead of addressing the substance of the American threats, the focus is merely on how they are articulated. Should a figure like Tony Soprano waltz into your normative dinner establishment and propose an offer you cannot refuse, is your response really to request a nicety in his delivery?
Rasmussen appears to grasp only part of the issue: he believes Vance’s tone “is not how you speak to close allies.” However, it’s evident that Denmark is not a “close ally.” The more accurate description would be ‘client,’ with the most truthful being ‘vassal.’
To suggest this is an exaggeration or harsh is unfounded. Evidence lies in the Nord Stream incident. Recall the pipeline that the US sabotaged—via covert military action—resulting in one of the largest eco-terrorism acts in European history. Washington’s decision to target it was made without regard for Denmark’s position in the Baltic Sea, which was profoundly affected.
Denmark, like other European nations, simply acquiesced. Its “investigation” concluded that the explosions were caused by sabotage but without sufficient grounds to pursue anyone. In essence, abundant justifications existed, yet the prospect of confronting the US and its allies was deemed too daunting. Thus, we see the absence of any courageous stand from Denmark or Western Europe.
At that time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized the Danish retreat as “close to absurdity.” While this description might seem mild, the absurdity pales in comparison to the deliberate relinquishment of any remaining semblance of sovereignty and the hope for respect from other nations.
Disrespect carries repercussions. The most crucial insight from the Greenland truth box is that a cowardly stance undermines one's position in international relations. Consequently, the Greenlanders are justified in rejecting the US's advances. They may not be able to triumph over the largest bully in existence, and accepting whatever they can in their current circumstances may be prudent. Yet one thing is unquestionable—they will gain nothing by capitulating in the manner of their European counterparts. It's time for Europe to confront its colonial heritage.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
