Slate News

Greenland War Averted

Jan 22, 2026
This week delves into Trump's controversial interest in Greenland and its potential impact on international relations. The hosts examine how this fixation contrasts with pressing domestic concerns like inflation. They also explore the Supreme Court's implications for Federal Reserve independence and reveal troubling shifts within the FBI's focus. Additionally, a conversation with author Curtis Sittenfeld highlights themes of privilege and personal struggles in her latest work.
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ANECDOTE

Norwegian Grad Student Predicted Greenland Drama

  • David Plotz recalled a Norwegian grad student's dissertation on U.S.-Greenland relations.
  • The joke that studying Greenland was ridiculous now feels prescient given current events.
INSIGHT

Greenland Reveals Alliance Strain

  • Trump's Greenland demands signal a deeper rupture in trans‑Atlantic alliances and norms.
  • Bullying allies yields short‑term gains but long‑term strategic decline, especially versus China and Russia.
INSIGHT

Policy Driven By Personal Whims

  • Trump's personal whims increasingly drive U.S. foreign policy, shrinking the distance between private grievance and national action.
  • That unpredictability forces allies to reconsider reliance on the United States.
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