Canada

Alaska was settled by Russian colonists in the 1800s but the colony didn't do so well. The Russian emperor at the time decided to sell the territory to the US hoping to weaken the British Empire by preventing them from taking over the territory in the future (ie. to avoid it becoming part of Canada). The Russian emperor had hoped the entire West coast of North America would be US territory eventually but that never happened.

After all the gold was taken from it, Alaska's benefit to the US is now extending its reach into Arctic waters which are being eyed as a potential international shipping route since climate change means ice breakers might not be needed to escort other ships through the Arctic. The US (via Alaska), Canada, Russia, Denmark (via Greenland), Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway are all currently arguing over which parts of the Arctic ocean belong to them. They're hoping to ensure any cargo ships that pass through will have to pay them a fee similar to how Panama and Egypt charge for the Panama and Suez canals respectively.

My understanding is we bought Alaska from Russia. We still have the canceled check we wrote. The little tail that sticks down from the side taking up most of Canada's west coast is kind of bullshit though.

Right! If DOGE wants to get efficient, 49 is better than 50.