History repeats itself. This is how we got the Panama Canal in the first place.
Panama used to be a territory of Columbia, separated by dense unnavigable jungle (still is).
Panama gained their independence by us (USA) having their back with naval blockades to keep Columbia away, since they couldn’t come in by land.
The only thing keeping Columbia away was our navy.
Then…we threatened to leave.
Yeah, 100% on-brand for the Grifter-in-Cheat
It’s worse than blackmail because Trump promised nothing in return. Give us money and we will defend Ukraine was reasonable. Zelensky originally agreed when he thought that meant Trump would defend Ukraine.
Instead Trump wants Ukraine to completely surrender and then pay him to surrender.
Yes, that would have been my assumption as well. It’s the difference between buying mercenaries vs paying the mob “for protection”.
The mob gives a better deal than Trump. With the mob it’s, “Give us money or we won’t protect you from a rival gang burning your house.” With Trump it’s, “Pay me and I’m going to let the other gang burn your house.”
Way worse. smh.
Germany says ‘blackmail’ of Ukraine will bring more war
Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock says Europe must put pressure on the US to stand by its European allies and warned against forcing Kyiv to surrender […] Baerbock’s statements were similar to those of other European leaders discussing how to approach likely changes to transatlantic relations during Trump’s second term.
