NATO

Friday April 21, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday April 21, 2023

Trudeau’s Military Shortcomings and Jet-Setting Splurges

July 11, 2020

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been known for his luxurious lifestyle and expensive vacations, often jet setting with his family to extravagant destinations. Recently, it has been revealed that the Trudeaus spent their holiday season at a lavish estate in Jamaica owned by a wealthy family that made a large donation to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation just two years ago. While the trip was cleared by the ethics commissioner before departure, questions arise about the optics of such a trip at a time when many Canadians are struggling financially due to the high cost of goods and services, and Trudeau’s government has been accused of contributing to inflation and neglecting the cost of living crisis.

News: Trudeau family vacationed with wealthy friends who donated to Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation  

March 14, 2019

But Trudeau’s expensive trips are not a new phenomenon. In the past, he has faced criticism for his trips to the Aga Khan’s island in 2016, which earned him a reprimand from the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, and for renting a luxury suite at great expense during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in London in 2021. These trips have cost Canadian taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, raising questions about Trudeau’s priorities and spending habits.

What is particularly troubling is that Trudeau’s lavish lifestyle and expensive vacations come at a time when he has been criticized for being a cheapskate on military obligations and a global security laggard. The Trudeau government has been repeatedly called out for underfunding the military and neglecting Canada’s defense obligations, both domestically and internationally. As the world faces increasing security challenges, including threats from adversaries such as China and Russia, Canada’s military readiness and capabilities have been called into question.

January 11, 2023

Moreover, Trudeau’s disregard for military obligations is not just a matter of underfunding, but also a lack of commitment to international alliances and partnerships. Canada has traditionally been a strong ally in international security efforts, including NATO and peacekeeping missions. However, under Trudeau’s leadership, Canada has fallen behind in meeting its military commitments to these alliances. This has raised concerns among Canada’s allies and partners, who rely on Canada’s contributions to global security efforts.

News: Trudeau privately told NATO Canada would never meet 2-per-cent defence spending target: report

Trudeau’s penchant for luxury vacations and expensive trips while neglecting military obligations and global security commitments sends a troubling message to Canadians and the international community. It suggests a lack of priorities and a disregard for the real threats and challenges that Canada faces in today’s world. While Trudeau enjoys the perks of his lavish lifestyle, Canadian taxpayers foot the bill for his extravagant trips, including the recent trip to Jamaica that cost at least $162,000 in taxpayer expenses for security and other costs.

November 17, 2015

It’s time for Trudeau to reassess his priorities and demonstrate a genuine commitment to fulfilling Canada’s military obligations and global security commitments. As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, Canada cannot afford to have a leader who neglects these critical responsibilities while living a life of luxury. Canadians deserve a leader who prioritizes their security and well-being over personal indulgences. It’s time for Trudeau to step up and show true leadership in addressing Canada’s military and security challenges, rather than being known as a cheapskate on military obligations and a global security laggard while enjoying expensive vacations.(AI)

 

Thursday January 26, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 26, 2023

Tank re-enforcements on their way to defend Ukraine

April 12, 2022

President Biden has announced he is sending American tanks to Ukraine after weeks of disagreement between Nato allies over helping Kyiv to repel the Russian invaders.

As the war in Ukraine enters its 12th month, Biden said the US would send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, equivalent to a Ukrainian tank battalion.

The announcement coincided with a U-turn by Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, who promised about 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks for an international tank battalion “as soon as possible”, with another battalion likely to follow.

The Americans had been reluctant to send Abrams, arguing that they were too complex and difficult to maintain. It will be months before they arrive.

“Germany has really stepped up,” Biden said. “The expectation on the part of Russia is we’re going to break up [as a coalition]. But we are fully, totally and thoroughly united.”

The announcement came after a conference call between world leaders, including Rishi Sunak. Britain has already agreed to send 14 Challenger 2 tanks, a move that heralded the broader change of heart across the biggest players in Nato.

October 12, 2022

President Zelensky had called for 300 tanks to push the Russians back from territory they have taken. With contributions from other countries, it is believed Ukraine will receive at least 125. Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine’s defence minister, said last night that Kyiv would now press for modern fighter jets, including American F-16s.

After weeks of tension between the US and Germany, and occasionally harsh recriminations from other allies, both Scholz and Biden were at pains to stress western unity. Biden said the US and its European partners were in “lockstep” and heaped praise on his German counterpart.

The Ukrainian government reacted jubilantly to the German-American package, which Zelensky’s chief of staff hailed as a “real punching fist of democracy against autocracy from the bog”, in a reference to President Putin’s Russia. Zelensky said he was “sincerely grateful” for “these important and timely decisions”.

February 25, 2022

Moscow has alternated between condemnation and displays of indifference. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, recently said western tanks would “not fundamentally change anything” in the conflict and today said they would “burn like all the rest” in Ukraine.

Peskov then warned that the delivery of the tanks would “bring nothing good to the future relationship” between Berlin and Moscow.

Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the US, added that a further donation of American Abrams tanks would be “another blatant provocation.” (The Times of London) 

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro …

 

Wednesday October 12, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday October 12, 2022

Ukraine-Russia war: G7 countries will back Kyiv ‘for as long as it takes’

Leaders of the G7 group of rich nations have said they will back Ukraine for “as long as it takes” in the wake of Monday’s major Russian missile strikes.

February 26, 2022

The group, which met for emergency virtual talks, said it would keep on giving military and humanitarian aid.

Nato also said it would stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary.

At least 19 people were killed and scores more injured, as Russian missiles hit regions across Ukraine, including central Kyiv.

Strikes continued into Tuesday, with civilians advised to stay in air raid shelters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the attacks were in retaliation for a strike on a key bridge linking Russia with occupied Crimea, for which he blamed Ukraine.

Western leaders were quick to condemn the Russian escalation, and the G7 on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to Ukraine.

“We will continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military, diplomatic and legal support and will stand firmly with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the group said in a statement.

April 12, 2022

The bloc also condemned Mr Putin’s recent attempts to annex four regions of Ukraine with self-styled referendums.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the G7 for further air defence capabilities.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the military bloc would also continue to stand by Ukraine.

In a press conference, Mr Stoltenberg suggested that Nato needed to produce more weapons, as supplies have run low due to the war. Nato is in discussions with member nations and defence companies, he said.

Following indirect threats from Mr Putin, Mr Stoltenberg said the alliance was closely monitoring Russia’s nuclear forces, but had not seen any changes in their posture.

March 4, 2022

He added that any attack on infrastructure critical to Nato would trigger a “united and determined response”. It comes two weeks after a series of attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which many Western leaders indirectly suggested may have been caused by Russia.

In its statement the G7 said is was “deeply troubled” by these attacks, and welcomed further investigation into what caused them.

The G7 is made up of the seven largest “advanced” economies.

It includes Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US. (BBC) 

 

Saturday September 10, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday September 10, 2022

Chrystia Freeland has a ‘legitimate shot’ at top NATO job, expert says

October 26, 2021

It’s the favourite parlour game of the parliamentary precinct — predicting which powerful figure is going where and why. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland finds herself at the centre of speculation now, as talk about her possible appointment to NATO’s top job ramps up.

The buzz was loud enough for a journalist to ask Freeland about it directly on Wednesday, as Liberal cabinet ministers gathered on the West Coast to plot strategy for the fall session of Parliament.

Predictably, the deputy prime minister didn’t bite and spoke about how she already has “two busy jobs” — a reference to her principal portfolio as finance minister.

At least four different sources — in Ottawa, Washington and Brussels, where NATO is headquartered — say Freeland’s name has been tossed around for several months in international defence and security circles as a potential successor to the current secretary general, former Norwegian prime minister Jens Stoltenberg, who has been in the job since 2014.

The parlour game gets played in other capitals, too.

November 21, 2019

And while most of the speculation — first reported publicly by journalist Paul Wells in his online column — revolves around the domestic political effects of a possible Freeland candidacy, the chatter in international circles spins on a different axis.

“There are several very qualified women out there who would be very good candidates,” said a top NATO official who spoke to CBC News last month. (The source spoke to CBC News confidentially because they are not authorized to speak on the matter publicly.)

“It seems there is some momentum for a woman to be the next [secretary general].”

Stoltenberg’s term was supposed to end this month but NATO leaders — reeling in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine — extended that term to 2023.

October 20, 2016

Sources in Brussels said Freeland’s name surfaced last fall.

The question that didn’t quite get answered on Wednesday was whether Freeland might be interested in the job. 

As someone steeped in Eastern European politics and history, someone who can speak English, Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, French, Spanish and Italian, Freeland likely would be considered a major asset at a time when the alliance is trying to hold itself together in the face of a major regional war. Her knowledge of Russia and the inner workings of the Kremlin would be another major plus.

But in order to secure her candidacy, both her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would have to work the international diplomatic circuit — likely behind the scenes — and expend political capital. (CBC) 

 

Saturday May 14, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 14, 2022

Finland Nato: Russia threatens to retaliate over membership move

April 12, 2022

A foreign ministry statement said the move would seriously damage bilateral relations, as well as security and stability in northern Europe.

Earlier, Finland’s president and PM called for the country to apply for Nato membership “without delay”.

It comes amid a surge in public support for Nato membership following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia. Until now, it has stayed out of Nato to avoid antagonising its eastern neighbour.

Finland will formally announce its decision on Sunday after it has been considered by parliament and other senior political figures.

Sweden has said it will announce a similar decision on the same day.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said he expects the process of giving Sweden and Finland membership to happen “quite quickly”.

May 3, 2022

The White House said the US would back a Nato application from both countries if they apply.

The Russian statement (in Russian) described Finland’s move as “a radical change in the country’s foreign policy”.

“Finland’s accession to Nato will cause serious damage to bilateral Russian-Finnish relations and the maintaining of stability and security in the Northern European region,” it said.

“Russia will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to neutralise the threats to its national security that arise from this.”

However, Moscow has not specified what steps it plans to take.

Russia’s deputy UN representative Dmitry Polyansky said Sweden and Finland would become possible targets for Russia if they become Nato members, according to Russian news agency Ria.

Russian officials were responding to a joint statement by Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin, which said the two leaders expected a decision on Nato membership in the next few days.

“Nato membership would strengthen Finland’s security,” it said. “As a member of Nato, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance. Finland must apply for Nato membership without delay.”

Speaking to journalists later, Mr Niinisto responded to Russian concerns and blamed the move on Moscow’s invasion.

An opinion poll last week put support in Finland for joining Nato at 76%, with 12% against, a big swing towards membership since before the invasion.

Finland and the USSR were on opposing sides in World War Two, with the Finns famously fending off a Soviet invasion in 1939-40. (BBC)