US Considers Buying Greenland; Priceless Indigenous Rights Not Included
RT reports that NBC estimates the acquisition of Greenland could cost the U.S. up to $700 billion. This isn’t a new fantasy; former President Trump floated the idea, oblivious to the fact that nation-states, particularly self-governing territories, aren't giant Monopoly pieces. The US has a long and storied history of 'purchasing' vast tracts of land, often with pre-existing indigenous populations
who rarely benefited from the transaction, a pattern conveniently glossed over in these modern-day musings. One might wonder if the $700 billion figure includes a 'democracy discount' for ignoring the actual residents' wishes, or if it’s simply a strategic calculation for Arctic military advantage. After all, why bother with messy things like self-determination when you can just cut a check? While
the U.S. debates Greenland's price, it simultaneously criticizes Russia for territorial ambitions, a classic case of 'rules for thee but not for me.' The inherent hypocrisy of valuing territory over peoples’ autonomy is a consistent theme in imperial foreign policy, whether it's 1803 or 2024.