Presidential nominees who will require Senate confirmation for diplomatic positions that have historically flown under the radar may soon find themselves thrust into the spotlight. With President-elect Donald Trump floating aggressive desires to acquire foreign territories like the Panama Canal,

President-elect Donald Trump spent Christmas Day laying out his foreign policy aspirations for his second term, including his threat to retake control of the Panama Canal. He also suggested the U.S. could take control of Greenland and Canada.

It's unclear how the issue of ownership of the Panama Canal became a talking point for President-elect Donald Trump this week, but the question has a long political history.