It's amazing how people forget...
This issue has popped up before on GLP. The islands in question have been under Russian rule since czarist times. Some have claimed that the treaty in which the US bought Alaska may have included these islands since they hadn't been fully mapped and explored at the time.
In subsequent years, the islands were explored by various nations, including the US, Russia, Canada, British, and some Scandinavian countries. Geographically speaking, they're off the coast of Russia, not in proximity to Alaska.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not an Obama fan, I don't think the Russians are or ever will be our friends, and I'd go ballistic if solid American territory was ceded.
HOWEVER, do some research before getting emotional. My call for logic is NOT an endorsement of Obama, just a desire to see the facts presented, not emotion and disinformation.
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 10801032 AC, your points along with others is valid. In a differant world, a differant time, maybey such ceding of assests would be a reasonable accomadation towards relations. The timing of this, and the true strategic and resource loss is much harder to understand.
Russia has failed to sign the treaty that defines the boundries which indeed would grant these islands to their control. A full reading of the treaty is in order for me. I wonder why the lack of commitment on their part. If my memory serves me correctly, is there not ongoing disputes concerning fishing and clear understanding of who can be where?
Like you I am no supporter of obama. His actions continue to defy rational logic. What does he stand to gain from doing this? Why do it now?
The point that they are closer to Russia and not ours....Obviously
if we can give them away, we must feel some level of ownership. Could this form of reasoning stretch so far as to say Cuba should be ours? Hmmmm, what nation is the closest to Hawaii?
Sorry, I can not simply dismiss this as "normal" and not worthy of watching.
