President-elect Donald Trump emphasized the critical role Greenland plays in both national and global security, a sentiment shared by former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis.

Despite the mockery from skeptical Democrats, cynical commentators, and the liberal press regarding Trump’s idea of making Greenland a U.S. territory, Stavridis defended it. “It’s not a crazy idea,” he remarked during a recent appearance on “The Cats Roundtable” on WABC 770 AM-N.Y.

Stavridis elaborated on the benefits of such a proposal: “We could do an awful lot in terms of business, investment, box out the Russians, box out the Chinese, and work very closely with Greenland.” He went on to describe the vast Arctic island as a “strategic goldmine for the United States.”

Referring to Greenland’s strategic importance, he explained, “It sits at the very top of the North Atlantic; it protects approaches to our own country,” stressing its geographical significance and its abundant natural resources. “It’s geographically very important. It’s full of strategic minerals, rare earth, probably a lot of gold. It’s got a lot of natural resources.”

Stavridis suggested that while Greenland may not need to become the 51st state, it could serve as an important economic partner for the U.S. “It doesn’t have to become the 51st state, but it can certainly be an economic objective for us. I think that’s how it plays out.”

For those dismissing Trump’s reasoning, Stavridis reminded them to listen to the people of Greenland, specifically citing Premier Múte Egede’s stance. “The prime minister of Greenland said, ‘We are not for sale, but we are open for business’ – I think we ought to take him at his word,” Stavridis said, referencing Egede’s comments reported by The Hill.

Despite the possibility of a deal to bring Greenland under U.S. control from Denmark, the Greenlanders remain firm in their desire for independence. “Greenland is for the Greenlandic people,” Egede declared on Friday. “We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic.”

Egede also expressed his willingness to negotiate with Trump, saying he is “ready” to engage in discussions about a potential agreement.

{Matzav.com}