Baarbarian At he Gate

(Barbarian At The Gate)

This phrase represents the time when barbarians found themselves, literally, at the gates of Rome. More recently, it was the title of an HBO docudrama, Barbarians at the Gate, about the fight for cigarette giant, RJR Nabisco. President Trump, still a New York developer at the time, was not involved in the RJR negotiations but he was aware of the principals. Now, as President, Donald Trump is presenting himself as looking to make a deal to put Greenland in America's orbit and for President Putin to make a bigger contribution to ending the Ukraine War.


Greenland is more white than green. A more reasonable name would have been "iceland" but that name is already taken. President Trump wants to make the island an American protectorate, with or without input from Greenland residents or Copenhagen. Trump is not necessarily ruling out a use of force in acquiring Greenland. In a central regard, the President is correct. Greenland could be a critical piece of American national security, and it would preclude Chinese or Russian influence. Greenland is strategically placed with easy access to the Arctic. There are significant deposits of petroleum under the Arctic Ocean but access s limited because of the lack of American ice breakers. Russia has ice breakers. So do the Chinse. In the end, the island will probably become an American territory. It will probably not be made a state. That is for Canada.


In any Russian leader is fully aware of the nation's history. They would be aware of the security requirements. Vladamir Putin is no different. Everything the Kremlin does factor first and foremost those two national qualities. President Putin had the unique circumstance of being in power during the Biden Administration and all his missteps like in Afghanistan. A short campaign in Ukraine with a doubt of American re-action. That calculation was made over three years ago and hundreds of thousands of casualties have been inflicted.


And it has to end. Both Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenski agree. However, it is the involvement of President Trump that has been accelerating the issue, and he has been admonishing the Russian President that despite what tactical advantage his troops might retain in the field. In much the same situation with Greenland. the Trump program will be followed whether or not principals agree.


The comparison of President Trump to German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck is telling. The "Iron Chancellor" was signally focused on creating a "German Empire" with Prussia as its core. President Trump is also signally focused on his goals and in the immediate future is the acquisition of Greenland and get President Putin to be more accommodating in ending the Ukraine conflict. Not one to mind his own business.

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