Trump has asked U.S. military to develop options for the Panama Canal

there is nothing that Trump could do economically to Canada that would have them ending up as a part of the United States…something that radical would require military force

this entire fiasco is so stupid and random…one day out the blue taking over Canada became a thing towards the end of his campaign and has been unrelenting since

the equivalent of me going up to my good friend and neighbor that I’ve known for many years with no issues and punching them in the face at random and unprovoked, then continuing to antagonize them daily

 

It doesn’t matter what you believe or what is realistic. He believes economic warfare (tariffs, etc.) is enough.

There isn’t an adult left in the room.

EDIT: There often isn't consistency, but there is somewhat of one here.

• Panama Waterway: Secure trade and protect against economic warfare against the U.S.
• Greenland: Secure military base for protection, plus rich mineral resources.
• Canada: Rich resources.
• Ukraine: Rich mineral resources

 

So when this economic warfare isn’t enough, and it won’t be, then what? That’s why I’m asking what the endgame is

 

Yo-yoing. Get used to it, man.

If you are asking about military invasion- all I can say is, that mind is highly unpredictable, extremely reactive, and nothing should be ruled out.

 

Someone pointed out that the United States isn't the largest country in the world, geographically, and he became a cranky pants.

 

The military have plans for all scenarios.....I am pretty sure if asked to invade they will not do so.

We don't hit first.

DD

 

If Trump took over Antarctica it might make the US the largest country in the galaxy.

 

Think a lot of this is just loud noises and flashing lights to distract the rubes from all the theft.

 

That’s not irie.

 

What current (or past) threats are there?

 

I don't know of any but I'm just a civilian.

Either way, there's no problem with having a plan to secure the canal if necessary.

Just like there's no problem for having a plan to perform any number of operations around the globe based on various contingencies.

 

Why do we need to secure something that isn't under any threat?

Do we need a plan to secure the English Channel? The Strait of Gibraltar? The Suez Canal?

The Panama canal has 0 military value - you know this right?

 

How many MAGAs are willing to have their boys die for this?

Rocket River

 

We have (had) plans to do just about do anything and go anywhere in the world and probably Moon and Mars plans too.

Or, we did. Recent killings of the Office of Net Assessment and the Wilson Center will leave plans static and rotting on the shelves.

ONA is (was) responsible for reports that are highly classified, tightly controlled in distribution, and provide strategic-level management insights. They also do (did) studies that are focused on historical analysis, alternative futures, and more speculative work about the possible character of military conflict in the future. The whole operation, which started in the early 1970s, is now gone.

The Wilson Center is (was) a federal think tank started in the late 1960s that offered insight and analysis to both the Executive and Congressional branches. It was housed in the Smithsonian and also included the Kennan Institute, which studied Russia and post-Soviet states. That, and the Environmental Change and Security Program are probably what drew the ire of DOGE/Project 2025 and the President.

We are not eating our seed corn, we are just throwing it into the gutter.

 

Wait wut? A canal that shortens the trip from east to west coast by at least a month has immense geopolitical and military value.

 

Die for what?

Ask me when something happens.

 

As mentioned multiple times, we have plans (MILITARY OPTIONS) for almost everything, especially something as important as the canal.

The issue isn’t the plan or updated plans; it’s the lack of understanding of the situation, along with the insistence on incorrect assertions.

The context is that he’s been talking for a while now about wanting to "take back" the Panama Canal because he believes China controls it. The fact that this is false doesn’t matter, just like it doesn’t matter that he incorrectly believes foreign countries pay the tariffs the U.S. imposes on incoming goods.

It’s likely that, in his mind, the 1999 Panama Canal Treaty was very bad for the U.S., and he wants to either undo or cancel it. The idea that China controls it could just be the false premise he’s using as an excuse to take it back.

 

Military? I doubt that. He would have to fire the top generals and Admirals and install military leaders who would be loyal to him.

Oh wait..

 

You do know military ships do not pass through the panama canal?

American carriers don't even fit. US maintains two separate fleets on either side that never cross over.

It's funny when ignorant people laugh at something they have no clue about.