Forget Greenland, focus on building peace

Especially at a time when we are trying to stop Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Trump administration should not be threatening to take over Greenland. There should be be no military action to seize Greenland, which is part of our NATO ally Denmark. There should be no economic pressure either to acquire Greenland from Denmark.

Threatening NATO allies does not reflect American values. We need to be focused on winning peace in Ukraine and the many other areas suffering from conflict. Denmark is one of our partners we need to win peace.

The biggest moments of Denmark's alliance include D-Day and in the war on terror. As President Dwight Eisenhower said of Denmark "This is a country I have visited during my different tours of duty in Europe and found it hospitable and its people always courteous and ready to help."

We can partner very well with Denmark and Greenland on security issues in the spirit of friendship and cooperation. That means no threats or invasions. If Denmark does not want to sell Greenland we must respect that decision of our ally.

"When Denmark and Greenland make it clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty obligations and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark. Any suggestion that our nation would subject a fellow NATO ally to coercion or external pressure undermines the very principles of self-determination that our Alliance exists to defend" stated Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC)

The nonsense over Greenland also takes attention away from the conflicts, droughts and surging humanitarian emergencies.

In West Africa there is a major humanitarian emergency but also declining funding to help. Meanwhile terrorism is thriving in that region amid the chaos and hunger.

The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) warns that 35 million people will be facing severe hunger In Nigeria in 2026, a record number. People in Nigeria are not only at risk of violence, but also of starvation. The desperation of hunger fuels the instability Nigeria faces. Along with efforts to quell the violence, hunger must also be stopped.

Tragically, funding is low for humanitarian aid in Nigeria. Cuts in foreign aid by the United States have been devastating. You cannot achieve peace and stability where there is starvation and desperation.

As the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns, there is a "New World Disorder" where global cooperation and funding is lacking in tackling the biggest humanitarian emergencies. The IRC recently put out a watch list of countries on the brink of disaster, including Sudan, Haiti, Nigeria, Congo, Yemen, Palestine, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and many others

Millions of people in Sudan have lost their homes and farms in the war and are depending on relief organizations to survive. There are over 21 million people facing severe hunger in Sudan according to the World Food Program. Famine has been declared in multiple parts of the country because there is such extreme shortages of food. But there is also a shortage of funding to feed war victims in Sudan.

Children are suffering severe malnutrition in Sudan and cannot afford to have food rations reduced. In a country where famine is taking hold, it is a disaster to have a shortage of funding for humanitarian aid. History reminds us we can certainly do better in leading the international response to these emergencies.

We need to be working with our allies like Denmark today on solving these many global issues and building a peaceful world.

William Lambers is an author who partnered with the U.N. World Food Program on the book “Ending World Hunger.”