Philenews

Trump and the Law of the Strong

Published January 24, 2026, 06:09
Trump and the Law of the Strong

US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, citing national security reasons. The island, with its vast area and strategic location, could be used for early warning systems and Arctic monitoring. However, the idea has been rejected by both Greenlandic authorities and Denmark, of which it is an autonomous territory. Trump has threatened trade tariffs in case of resistance. Greenland, beyond its strategic importance, possesses significant natural resources, such as rare earths and minerals, attracting interest. Despite the US already having military bases on the island, Trump desires full ownership. This incident raises questions about the legitimacy of a superpower acquiring territory based solely on its strength. References to Evangelos Papanoutsos's work, 'The Law of the Fist,' and ancient Greek conceptions of power and dominance, outline a historical perspective on the pursuit of dominance by the strong. According to 'The Law of the Fist,' the strong have the right to exploit the weak, a view also supported by the Athenians in their dialogue with the Melians, as recorded by Thucydides. Trump's pursuit of Greenland can be seen as a modern manifestation of this principle, or perhaps an attempt to develop business activities in the region.