Are the Falkland Islands becoming a flashpoint again?

The Falkland Islands are again drawing international attention after Donald Trump said he was reconsidering the United States’ position on the disputed South Atlantic archipelago. Britain controls the islands, while Argentina also claims sovereignty over them.

Asked whether he was revisiting the American stance, Trump replied: “I always study every decision, this is just one of many.” The remark has raised questions about Washington’s position toward another traditional ally, after Trump criticized Canada over what he described as decades of abusive trade relations and refused to recognize Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland.

The Falklands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, became the cause of a war between Britain and Argentina more than four decades ago. In 1982, Argentina attempted to seize the islands, prompting a British military operation that restored London’s control over the two main islands and several hundred smaller ones in the archipelago.

Trump’s Republican predecessor, Ronald Reagan, took a less ambiguous position during that conflict. His administration provided British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with key satellite and other intelligence data. It was also prepared, if necessary, to give Britain the American amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima. Reagan urged a peaceful solution to the dispute, but did not oppose Britain’s military operation to retake the islands.

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I always study every decision, this is just one of many.