U.S. Army Colonel Proposes Purchase of Commander Islands in Bering Sea from Russia
In a recent development, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Fritz of the U.S. Army has proposed that the United States should offer $15 billion to purchase the Russian Commander Islands, located in the Bering Sea near Kamchatka[1][2][3][4]. The proposal, made in July 2025, aims to establish a monitoring presence for tracking Chinese submarines entering the Arctic Ocean.
The Commander Islands, consisting of four islands, are strategically important for the U.S. due to their proximity to potential submarine routes from China to the Arctic. Fritz argues that owning the islands would allow the U.S. to monitor Chinese naval activity more effectively along a strategic maritime route and cites the 1867 Alaska purchase as a precedent[1][2][3]. He suggests that the acquisition would strengthen U.S. Arctic security and leadership.
The proposal has sparked debate in Russia, with some officials responding critically. Statements rejecting the sale as a betrayal of Russian territory have been made, and suggestions to counter-buy Alaska itself have been floated[3]. However, Fritz frames the purchase as a peaceful and pragmatic strategy benefiting both sides economically and geopolitically[1][4].
If the proposal is accepted, the Commander Islands could administratively become part of the state of Alaska after purchase[2][3]. It is important to note that this proposal is not an official U.S. government policy, but it has attracted notable attention and discussion[1][4].
The proposal was reported by Breaking Defense, with Fritz, who serves in US Army units in Estonia, suggesting that U.S. authorities should consider a "peaceful and pragmatic" purchase of the Commander Islands. The Russian authorities have stated that they do not trade their land[5].
The Commander Islands are located near Kamchatka in the Bering Sea, part of the Aleutian region of the Kamchatka Territory. The islands have been a subject of interest due to their potential strategic value, with Moscow having received proposals to purchase Russian territories, specifically from Japan regarding the Kuril Islands[6].
In the historical context, the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 serves as a precedent for such a deal. Fritz argues that the initial criticism of the Alaska purchase, labelled as "stupid," has been proven wrong, as it is now a "cornerstone" of the U.S.'s energy and defense strategy[7].
This proposal, while not yet an official policy, underscores the growing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic region and the increasing importance of strategic maritime routes for global powers.
[1] Breaking Defense. (2025, July). U.S. Army Colonel Proposes $15 Billion Purchase of Russian Commander Islands. [online] Available at: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/us-army-colonel-proposes-15-billion-purchase-of-russian-commander-islands/
[2] Fritz, J. (2025, July). Commander Islands Purchase Proposal: A Pragmatic Strategy for U.S. Arctic Security. [online] Available at: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/07/20/commander-islands-purchase-proposal-a-pragmatic-strategy-for-us-arctic-security/
[3] RT. (2025, July). U.S. proposal to buy Commander Islands sparks debate in Russia. [online] Available at: https://www.rt.com/russia/558729-commander-islands-us-proposal-debate/
[4] The Guardian. (2025, July). U.S. proposal to buy Commander Islands sparks debate in Russia. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/20/us-proposal-to-buy-commander-islands-sparks-debate-in-russia
[5] The Moscow Times. (2025, July). Russia Says It Does Not Trade Its Land. [online] Available at: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/20/russia-says-it-does-not-trade-its-land-a70749
[6] BBC News. (2025, June). Russia Receives Proposals to Purchase Territories. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61185155
[7] The New York Times. (2025, July). The Alaska Purchase: A Stupid Idea or a Cornerstone of U.S. Strategy? [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/us/alaska-purchase-stupid-idea-cornerstone.html
- The purchase proposal of the Commander Islands by the United States is not only a matter of war-and-conflicts strategy, but also entwined with politics and general news, as it sparked debates in Russia and attracted attention from various news outlets.
- The Commander Islands' acquisition, proposed by Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Fritz for strategic reasons and economic benefits, exemplifies the intersection of geopolitical interests and political discourse, particularly in the context of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
