G8

Tuesday June 18, 2024

Putin's visit to North Korea, seeking arms amid Russia's decline as an exporter of advanced weaponry, underscores his nation's desperate geopolitical maneuvers and the erosion of its global influence.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday June 18, 2024

*Watch the animated version here!

Russia’s Desperate Arms Deal with North Korea: A Sign of Decline

September 14, 2023

Once a proud exporter of advanced weaponry, Russia now finds itself in the humiliating position of importing lower-quality arms from North Korea. This drastic shift underscores the deteriorating state of Russia’s military-industrial complex and the broader implications for its global standing.

In a strikingly ironic twist, the nation that once supplied cutting-edge technology to the world now seeks sustenance from a pariah state infamous for its substandard military equipment. North Korea’s support, including ballistic missiles and munitions, is crucial for Russia as it struggles to maintain its war efforts in Ukraine. The image of a former superpower relying on North Korean arms tells a bleak story about the current state of Russian research and development. It is a clear indicator that Russia is far from the industrial powerhouse that its cheerleaders in the Kremlin claim it to be.

News: Putin Arrives in North Korea as Ukraine War Redefines Ties With Kim

September 22, 2022

This unholy alliance between Russia and North Korea also highlights a disturbing new reality: North Korea has emerged as a significant beneficiary of the Ukraine conflict. Pyongyang’s economy, previously crippled by sanctions and isolation, has found new life through its arms trade with Russia. This partnership has elevated North Korea’s international status, making it no longer the sole pariah state. The shift in power dynamics is stark and troubling.

The desperation behind Putin’s move is palpable. This is the first time in 25 years that a Russian president has visited North Korea, and it is clear that Putin is not doing so out of choice but out of necessity. Russia’s reliance on a nation with an outdated military force and equipment reveals the dire state of its own military capabilities. The fact that Putin must beg for weapons from North Korea suggests that the Russian army is in a desperate situation, willing to take anything it can get.

June 25, 2019

The broader geopolitical implications of this alliance are equally concerning. The axis of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran is a mashup of nefarious actors with no common cause other than the need to feed off each other. Unlike the more ideologically aligned Western Europe and the US, this grouping is a coalition of convenience rather than principle. Even within this alliance, Russia’s position is precarious. China and India, while maintaining diplomatic relations with Russia, view it as a distraction from their economic ambitions. Putin’s overtures to North Korea can be seen as a last resort after likely rejections from more powerful nations like China and India.

Reflecting on the past, it is evident how far Russia has fallen. Once a major player in the G8, now it is reduced to seeking partnerships with third-world dictatorships. The contrast is stark and disheartening. The likes of North Korea, Russia, and China represent some of the most oppressive police states in the world, making a mockery of any notions of freedom and democracy. If there ever was an open-air prison, these nations fit the bill perfectly.

Hews: Putin arrives in North Korea ahead of talks with Kim Jong-un

May 1, 2018

Putin’s visit to North Korea, hat in hand, begging for arms that his own industry cannot provide, is a clear sign of his desperation. It exposes the toothless tiger that Russia has become under his rule. The international community must recognize this vulnerability and seize the moment to hold Putin accountable. It is time to finish the job and bring Putin to justice at the International Criminal Court.

In summary, Putin’s North Korea visit and the resultant arms deal reflect not just a tactical move but a strategic capitulation. It signals a significant decline in Russia’s global standing and military capability. The world must take note of this desperation and act decisively to prevent further destabilization by this crumbling alliance of authoritarian regimes. (AI)

 

Tuesday May 24, 2011

 

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday May 24, 2011 Clement won't rule out program cuts: reports Treasury Board head Tony Clement said he would consider shutting entire programs and shrinking the public service to help produce a balanced budget by 2014-2015, according to reports. Clement was named Treasury Board president on Wednesday, taking over from Stockwell Day, and is tasked with finding savings in other government departments to reduce the deficit, which is projected this year to be $29.6 billion. On Wednesday, Clement acknowledged that a preferred option for saving money would be through attrition, or cutting public service jobs when people leave or retire. But on Thursday, he elaborated, telling the Globe and Mail and Ottawa Citizen newspapers that cuts could mean entire programs are shuttered. Programs that might have been important 30 years ago may no longer be the best way to spend public money today, he said. Patty Ducharme, the national executive vice-president for the Public Sector Alliance of Canada, the largest public sector union, said she was not surprised by the news. Ever since the government first talked about reducing staff through attrition, public service unions have said such a plan was not possible or practical. "I'm dismayed though, given the fact that what this government has been saying leading up to the election was that there would be job reductions, but those reductions would come through attrition and nothing more than attrition," Ducharme said. "One day into the job and now he's telling the truth. Thanks Tony." Ducharme said she was at a loss as to which government programs might be targeted. (Source: CBC News)Êhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/clement-won-t-rule-out-program-cuts-reports-1.1036385 Canada, Conservative,Tony Clement, Muskoka, G8, Summit, gazebo, spending, cuts, austerity, executioner, guillotine

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 24, 2011

Clement won’t rule out program cuts: reports

Treasury Board head Tony Clement said he would consider shutting entire programs and shrinking the public service to help produce a balanced budget by 2014-2015, according to reports.

Clement was named Treasury Board president on Wednesday, taking over from Stockwell Day, and is tasked with finding savings in other government departments to reduce the deficit, which is projected this year to be $29.6 billion.

On Wednesday, Clement acknowledged that a preferred option for saving money would be through attrition, or cutting public service jobs when people leave or retire.

But on Thursday, he elaborated, telling the Globe and Mail and Ottawa Citizen newspapers that cuts could mean entire programs are shuttered. Programs that might have been important 30 years ago may no longer be the best way to spend public money today, he said.

Patty Ducharme, the national executive vice-president for the Public Sector Alliance of Canada, the largest public sector union, said she was not surprised by the news. Ever since the government first talked about reducing staff through attrition, public service unions have said such a plan was not possible or practical.

“I’m dismayed though, given the fact that what this government has been saying leading up to the election was that there would be job reductions, but those reductions would come through attrition and nothing more than attrition,” Ducharme said.

“One day into the job and now he’s telling the truth. Thanks Tony.”

Ducharme said she was at a loss as to which government programs might be targeted. (Source: CBC News)

 

Friday June 18, 2010

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday June 18, 2010 G8 funds flood Clement's riding: Liberals The Opposition Liberals are accusing the Conservative governmentÊof blowing $50 million of G8 summit-related spending in IndustryÊMinister Tony Clement's riding in an attempt to boost his chances ofÊre-election. Industry Minister Tony Clement has been under fire for weeks in theÊHouse of Commons over federal spending in his central OntarioÊriding of Muskoka-Parry Sound ahead of the G8 summit inÊHuntsville. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)Liberal MPs Mark HollandÊand Marcel Proulx presented a slideshow at a news conference onÊWednesday showing G8 legacy project sites in Clement's OntarioÊriding of Parry Sound-Muskoka. Dubbing the presentation the "Tour de Pork," the MPs said most ofÊthe money has been spent on projects that are nowhere near delegatesÊduring the one-day G8 summit and that will not be completed in timeÊfor the event. The sites flaunted by the Liberals include a $2-million streetÊimprovement project for Port Severn, 135 kilometres away from theÊsummit site in Huntsville, as well as a $700,000 main street andÊbridge improvement project in the small town of Kearney, 42Êkilometres from the summit site The minister, Holland said, needs to justify how he can say theÊprojects have anything to do with the G8, when most of them willÊnever be seen by delegates. "What has happened here is under the guise of G8," Holland toldÊreporters. "It has nothing to do with G8. They're blowing $50 millionÊto boost the electoral prospects of a minister, and we think that that isÊentirely inappropriate."Ê(Source: CBC News)Êhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/g8-funds-flood-clement-s-riding-liberals-1.961407#ixzz0rD9YVzRj Canada, Conservative, Tony Clement, Muskoka, G8, Summit, Brazil, Rio, Jesus, statue, spending

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 18, 2010

G8 funds flood Clement’s riding: Liberals

The Opposition Liberals are accusing the Conservative government of blowing $50 million of G8 summit-related spending in Industry Minister Tony Clement’s riding in an attempt to boost his chances of re-election.

Industry Minister Tony Clement has been under fire for weeks in the House of Commons over federal spending in his central Ontario riding of Muskoka-Parry Sound ahead of the G8 summit in Huntsville.

Liberal MPs Mark Holland and Marcel Proulx presented a slideshow at a news conference on Wednesday showing G8 legacy project sites in Clement’s Ontario riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka.

Dubbing the presentation the “Tour de Pork,” the MPs said most of the money has been spent on projects that are nowhere near delegates during the one-day G8 summit and that will not be completed in time for the event.

The sites flaunted by the Liberals include a $2-million street improvement project for Port Severn, 135 kilometres away from the summit site in Huntsville, as well as a $700,000 main street and bridge improvement project in the small town of Kearney, 42 kilometres from the summit site

The minister, Holland said, needs to justify how he can say the projects have anything to do with the G8, when most of them will never be seen by delegates.

“What has happened here is under the guise of G8,” Holland told reporters. “It has nothing to do with G8. They’re blowing $50 million to boost the electoral prospects of a minister, and we think that that is entirely inappropriate.” (Source: CBC News)

 

Wednesday June 6, 2007

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 6, 2007

‘No G8 deal on climate change’

World powers will not agree to firm targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions during the G8 summit, a senior US official has said.

May 25, 2006

World leaders are meeting in Heiligendamm on the Baltic coast for the annual Group of Eight gathering which comprises of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.

Chairing the summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had hoped the US would back a pledge to have emissions halved by 2050 and limit warming of global temperatures to a key scientific threshold of 2C.

The Kyoto Protocol, the global climate change pact which the US is not a part of, expires in 2012 and leaders hope the summit can send a signal about their desire to come up with a successor to the deal.

Senior climate adviser to President George W Bush, James Connaughton, said: “We have opposed the two degrees temperature target, we are not alone in that.

“Japan, Russia, Canada and most other countries that I have spoken with do not support that as an objective for a variety of reasons. At this moment in time on that one particular issue we do not yet have agreement.” (ITV News)