Post Reports How Trump’s Nobel obsession is upending geopolitics
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Jan 20, 2026 Steve Hendrix, the London bureau chief at The Washington Post, discusses Trump's peculiar text to Norway's Prime Minister linking his Greenland ambitions to his Nobel Peace Prize snub. The conversation dives into Trump's tariff threats and the reactions from Norway and Greenland regarding U.S. control. Hendrix analyzes the geopolitical implications, including Europe's diplomatic strategies and the potential impact of the Nobel Prize on U.S. policies. The episode balances humor and urgency while unraveling the bizarre intersection of personal grievances and international relations.
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Personal Grievance Driving Policy
- Trump's Greenland push links personal grievances to foreign policy, not just strategic interest.
- He told Norway he felt free from 'purely' pursuing peace after not getting the Nobel Peace Prize.
Strategy Meets Unpredictability
- Strategic reasons for interest in Greenland are real: Arctic access, minerals, and military positioning.
- But diplomats say Trump's rhetoric and personal motives complicate traditional security arguments.
Greenlanders Oppose U.S. Takeover
- Greenlandic public opinion strongly resists becoming part of the United States.
- Polling and local governments show roughly 70–75% oppose ceding sovereignty to Washington.