In a surprising turn of events, US President-elect Donald Trump's audacious ambition to buy Greenland from Denmark has a significant tech angle. Ken Howery, Trump's pick to be the next ambassador to Denmark, is a well-connected tech veteran with a rich history in the industry.

Howery was a key player in the original "PayPal Mafia," serving as the CFO who helped bring the company together and eventually sell it to eBay. He then went on to co-found the esteemed venture capital firm Founders Fund with Peter Thiel and others. Additionally, he is a close friend of Elon Musk's. With decades of experience in tech investing and M&A, Howery has been involved in some of the toughest deals in Silicon Valley.

Despite his impressive credentials, even Howery may find it challenging to broker a deal for the US to buy Greenland. The island nation and Denmark have made it clear that they are not interested in selling. In a recent statement, Greenland's Prime Minister Muté Egede emphasized, "We don't want to be Americans."

According to a profile of Howery in The New York Times, it is the long odds of this deal that attracted him to the Denmark job. The challenge of working on one of the most complicated real-estate transactions on behalf of a real-estate mogul like Trump is an opportunity that could bring Howery the attention he prefers.

While Trump has publicly stated that his interest in Greenland is driven by geopolitics and national security concerns, there are other factors at play. The Arctic island is believed to have vast, valuable natural reserves of oil and rare earth elements, which are essential for the manufacturing of batteries and other hardware. Furthermore, Greenland's cold climate makes it an attractive location for building overheating AI data centers. In an era where the US is seeking to reduce its dependence on countries like China and Russia for these resources, owning Greenland could provide a unique strategic advantage.

As the US continues to explore ways to secure its interests in the region, Howery's role as ambassador will be crucial in navigating the complex diplomatic landscape. Whether he can find the right incentives or leverage to get the conversation started remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however: the drama surrounding this potential deal is unfolding like a TV-worthy political thriller.

In conclusion, the intersection of tech and politics has never been more apparent. As the world watches the developments surrounding Trump's Greenland ambition, one thing is clear – the implications of this deal extend far beyond the realm of geopolitics and into the very fabric of the tech industry.