Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 17, 2026
Also published in The Toronto Star, the Politico Cartoon Carousel. Also in Counterpoint on Substack.
“You Broke It, You Own It”
February 24, 2026
The chaos in the Strait of Hormuz underscores the dangers of unilateral action, as demonstrated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. His decision to strike Iran in Operation Epic Fury, without consulting allies or defining clear objectives has destabilized the Persian Gulf and driven global oil prices up. The sentiment “You broke it, you own it” aptly captures the global response.
Trump’s calls for international support have been largely ignored, expectedly so given his history of tariffs and dismissive rhetoric towards allies. Germany’s refusal to involve NATO underscores the reluctance to engage in a conflict that was neither consulted on nor desired.
News: Trump calls on countries to help secure Strait of Hormuz as energy crisis fears escalate
March 6 2026
Trump’s inflated rhetoric about American might and dismissive attitude towards allies like the UK, initially hesitant, adds to the strain. The UK was reluctantly drawn in after a British base in Cyprus was struck, but Trump arrogantly claimed he didn’t need their help, declaring the U.S. had “won the war” and downplaying the attack as an “incursion.”
This rhetoric has left former allies in an awkward position, caught between the need for stability and the desire to avoid complicity in a poorly executed operation. Assistance may arise out of necessity, driven by pragmatism rather than allegiance.
March 4, 2026
The human cost of this conflict is devastating. On the first day of Trump’s “excursion,” a Tomahawk missile strike tragically killed over a hundred elementary school children in Iran. These needless deaths, especially of civilians, highlight the grim reality of unilateral aggression.
The international community’s message is clear: unilateralism and dismissive diplomacy have dire consequences. The hope is for a diplomatic resolution involving all stakeholders to prevent further instability and needless loss of life. Cooperation, not isolation, is key to lasting peace.
LETTER to the EDITOR
Demand concessions to help U.S., The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday March 19, 2026
Donald Trump is asking other countries to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect shipping, the same countries that the U.S. has slapped with tariffs. This is like the schoolyard bully, after stealing your lunch money, asks you to help him deal with another kid who won’t give his up. Graeme MacKay’s Tuesday cartoon shows this perfectly. If any country decides to send ships, they should insist on a deal. For example, every ship we send will cost the U.S. one per cent reduction of the total tariffs imposed on our country.
This invasion of Iran was started to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Could the real reason be that Trump is using this war as an excuse to delay or cancel the upcoming midterm elections? Latest polls, if you believe them, show the MAGA cult doing poorly.
FIFA World Cup is in June. Any act of violence at this event, especially if against the Iranians, could give Trump the excuse he needs to interfere in the mid-terms.
The next few months could be a preview of 2028, with summer Olympic Games in July and presidential elections the following November.
Robert Wood, Simcoe
