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New Statesman
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
A perilous age
We go to print this week at a moment of deep peril, uncertainty and, it has to be said, shame. In the Middle East, Israel and Iran are engaged in an existential battle for supremacy which, at the time of writing, threatens to spiral out of control, causing unknown death and destruction. In Ukraine, Vladimir Putin's assault continues, and in Gaza, the suffering of millions intensifies even as their fate falls down the global agenda. We do not live in a world bending towards justice, but one being bent out of shape by those with power. While all this was happening, the leaders of what was once thought of as 'the West' looked on in Canada, paralysed in the face of the spectacle unfolding. Is there even such a thing as the G7 any more, you wonder? What we have, it seems, is an increasingly incongruous G6 – a gathering of half a dozen mid-sized powers, once loyal to the US, but now seemingly powerless to do much about anything. As the likes of Keir Starmer and Mark Carney put their names to another communiqué, the strongmen of the world did as they pleased. Naturally, much of this week's magazine is devoted to the unfolding crisis and the new world we now seem to have entered. Lawrence Freedman provides a masterly account of the grand strategy – and grand gamble – behind Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to attack Tehran, as well as the possible consequences in the days and weeks ahead. Freddie Hayward, our US correspondent, reports on the fractious world of Maga, where some of Trump's most ardent supporters are now watching with alarm as the one-time candidate of peace finds himself drawn ever closer to another foreign war. Katie Stallard reports from Washington and the strange spectacle of Trump's birthday parade, considering what it reveals about the uncertainty of the world now. In this world of strongmen, the personalities of those in power is crucial: what they believe and why. For this reason, we have delved into the personal history of Netanyahu, a pariah figure in much of the world today (justly) who, nevertheless, looks set to remake the Middle East to Israel's advantage through raw military power and violence. Ami Dror, who was the head of Netanyahu's secret service security detail between 1996 and 1999, provides a startling insider account of the prime minister who became a warlord. And Israeli-American journalist Joshua Leifer explains why Netanyahu has been waiting for this showdown with Iran for most of his adult life. At home, meanwhile, the government continues to flail, subcontracting its most difficult decisions to others. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, recently completed the government's latest U-turn by announcing that there would be a national inquiry into the euphemistically named 'grooming gangs' scandal. As Hannah Barnes writes, it beggars belief that after months of obfuscation, the government has finally been forced into this position by the findings of Louise Casey. I have sat in meetings with some of the most senior Labour officials in this government who have spoken passionately about the moral stain of what happened in Rotherham and elsewhere, raging against the Labour councils which failed to act. And yet still nothing happened until someone else outside the government ordered them to change course. Voters – and, I suspect, New Statesman readers – want a government that knows what it stands for and is prepared to set it out in clear, unambiguous terms. From the protection of young girls in Britain to the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, Britain expects a government that leads, not one that follows. It's not all doom and gloom though. In the New Society, Tina Brown takes a look at Princess Diana's contested legacy, Zoë Huxford explores modern Britain through Alexander McQueen's most famous shows, and Kate Mossman meets a growling Brian Cox. Not a big fan of the prime minister, it seems. Enjoy the issue, and please do get in touch to let us know what you think. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe [See also: Kemi Badenoch sinks further into the mire] Related
4 days ago
- Politics
In Kananaskis, the G7 held together, but showed signs of strain
After Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump met one-on-one for 30 minutes on Monday morning, but before their respective teams joined to continue the discussion, the two leaders invited reporters and television cameras into a meeting room in Kananaskis, Alta. to witness them exchanging formal pleasantries. Carney opened by wishing the president a happy belated birthday and then noted the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army (the reason for Trump's military parade in Washington this past weekend (new window) ). The prime minister then segued to the fact this was the 50th anniversary of these meetings of the leaders of the world's most powerful democracies. And the G7 is nothing without U.S. leadership, your personal leadership, leadership of the U.S., Carney said. In fairness, Carney also told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that we'd be nowhere without Germany and without you personally and he said that French President Emmanuel Macron, the current dean of the G7 leaders, offered essential leadership. But perhaps, given the context, this suggestion to Trump resonates differently. On one level, this no doubt flattered the president, personally. Perhaps it could even be read as an entreaty for the United States to remain engaged and allied with the nations of the G7. On another level, it might read as a simple statement of the obvious — about the central, historic importance of the United States to the G7, about American influence over a body that operates on consensus or about the simple mathematical reality that the G7 without the United States would be the G6. On a higher level, Carney's comments might have spoken to the central tension of this week's meetings in Kananaskis and the larger questions about the G7's utility and future (new window) in a world where Trump is president of the United States. On a different level, there is also the question of whether the United States still wants to lead — or in what direction and in what ways. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., on Monday. Photo: AP / Mark Schiefelbein Some or all of this might be said to have hung over the two days of meetings that Carney chaired in Alberta — two days that highlighted both the potential value and the real strains of a grouping that at least made it through its 50th meeting without falling apart. Indeed, moments after Carney's opening comments, the challenge of finding consensus became loudly apparent when Trump, unprompted, began to lament (again) that Russia was expelled from what had been the G8 in 2014 (new window) . When a reporter asked him whether China should also be invited, Trump agreed. Carney, appearing increasingly eager to get on with the rest of his meeting with the president, finally stepped forward and encouraged reporters to be on their way. WATCH | What Carney achieved at the G7 after Trump left: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? At that point, the 50th meeting of the Group of Seven was still an hour or so away from officially beginning — shortly after concluding his meeting with Trump, Carney would go outside to officially welcome each leader to the summit. We're gathering at one of those turning points in history. A turning point where the world looks to this table for leadership, Carney said, perhaps a little hopefully, when the leaders gathered around a circular table inside to begin their formal talks. We might not agree on absolutely every issue, but where we will cooperate, we will make an enormous difference, for our citizens and for the world. Approximately 12 hours later, Trump departed by helicopter, pleading that he needed to return to Washington urgently to deal with the Israel-Iran conflict. Where the G7 leaders agree and disagree The president's early exit from Kananaskis recalled his early departure from Charlevoix in 2018 and thus might suggest something about Trump's interest in these forums. But before he left he still claimed to have enjoyed himself this time. I tell you, I loved it, Trump told reporters at the G7's family photo. And I think we got a lot done. As foreshadowed by Canadian officials last week, the Kananaskis summit did not produce the sort of expansive joint communique — a formal expression of the G7's shared views and desired actions — that typically follows these kinds of international confabs. Instead, the summit ended with narrower statements on artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, migrant smuggling, transnational repression, critical minerals and responding to wildfires. Limiting the desired results to those topics likely prevented a more acrimonious summit. But the differences were still impossible to completely paper over. WATCH | Carney pledges support for Ukraine to wrap G7: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? The leaders did ultimately agree to issue a statement on the situation with Israel and Iran, but according to reporting by the Washington Post (new window) and the Guardian (new window) references to restraint and a ceasefire were removed at the behest of American officials. And Trump then attacked Macron on social media on Monday night (new window) after Macron suggested Trump might push for a ceasefire. Official comments on Ukraine may or may not have run into some difference of opinion (new window) . But after repeated questions from reporters at his closing news conference, Carney acknowledged that there would be things that some of us, Canada included, would say above and beyond what was said in the chair's summary. And while the leaders did agree about the threat of wildfires, the text of their agreement does not explicitly refer to climate change. What was it like in the room? Over the past few days, Carney reported on Tuesday evening, Canada has worked with our G7 partners to determine where we can cooperate, build resilience and lasting prosperity. That this G7 summit came to a conclusion without a major falling-out will likely be viewed as a mark of success. Carney seemed comfortable in the chairman's seat — at least during the few moments that were broadcast publicly. And tangible progress may ultimately flow from what the leaders agreed to, however much the paper output of this summit may have left something to be desired. That the strains and limitations are still apparent will no doubt continue to raise questions about the exact nature of the G7's future. But after the time for questions from reporters on Tuesday had expired, Carney decided to pose a question to himself that no one had asked: What was it like in the room? And in answering his own question, he offered an implicit defence of the institution based on the value of dialogue (echoing comments that a former U.S. State Department official recently made to CBC News (new window) ). WATCH | Carney addresses the room where it happens: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? The advantage of, particularly, the G7 is that there are only, oddly, nine people in the room, Carney said (meetings of the G7 typically include the presidents of the European Council and European Commission). And there is a great amount of direct dialogue and discussion. Very frank exchanges, very strategic exchanges. Differences of opinion on a number of issues. But from an effort to find common solutions to some of these problems. These exchanges, Carney said, are very important for building relationships and trust. At a time when multilateralism is under great strain … that we got together, that we agreed on a number of areas … that's important, that's valuable. However much the world has changed and whatever the state of American leadership, the members of the G7, including the United States, apparently still see value in gathering around the G7's table. Aaron Wherry (new window) · CBC News · Senior writer Aaron Wherry has covered Parliament Hill since 2007 and has written for Maclean's, the National Post and the Globe and Mail. He is the author of Promise & Peril, a book about Justin Trudeau's years in power.
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Some success for Carney, not a win for the G7
If Mark Carney's task at the G7 was handling Donald Trump while he was in the Rocky Mountains, the Prime Minister can tick it off as job done. There was no big explosion. There were signs the rookie Prime Minister was an able host and Trump handler. The U.S. President called a trade deal with Canada achievable, even if he still wants tariffs. He agreed to several joint G7 statements, including one on the Iran-Israel conflict, although he treated the G7 position as irrelevant after he left a day early to deal with that crisis. For Mr. Carney, judged against the limited standards of hosting a summit with Mr. Trump, it was a success. For the G7 as a group, it wasn't. This was a G6-plus-one, and they couldn't bridge the big things. They are miles apart on trade. They couldn't agree on a common position on Ukraine. In personal diplomacy with Mr. Trump, Mr. Carney had a decent outing. He sucked in his cheeks stoically and silently during a joint photo op Monday when the U.S. President rambled about how Russia's Vladimir Putin should be allowed back into the group to make it the G8 again. He flattered Mr. Trump in his opening statement by saying the G7 would be nothing without U.S. leadership, and Mr. Trump's personal leadership. Mr. Trump called the Prime Minister 'Mark,' and said nice things about him. The personal PM-to-POTUS relationship is still good. Check. That beats the last G7 in Canada in 2018, when Mr. Trump took exception to then-prime minister Justin Trudeau's relatively mild comment about trade, disavowing the joint summit statements. The rift was never mended. Carney answers questions as leaders' summit wraps up; Canada, India agree to restore regular diplomatic services This time, Mr. Trump expressed a touch of optimism about some kind of Canada-U.S. trade deal. The two leaders agreed to accelerate talks for some kind of interim deal – though Mr. Trump said he still wants tariffs. Still talking on trade, no implosion. Good enough for now. Of course, Mr. Trump flew off a day early and told reporters on Air Force One that tariffs are quicker and easier and he still thinks Canada should become the 51st state. In retrospect, that felt almost inevitable. Mr. Trump started a post-departure squabble with France's President Emmanuel Macron over the Iran-Israel conflict via a social media post, too. But the G7, the group, didn't succeed. Everyone knew going in that for all the others, the goal was to avoid a clash with Mr. Trump. They wanted to show a little common action. Talks over a final communiqué had been scrapped for narrow statements. There was no joint statement of support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia. A Canadian government source said the U.S. wouldn't agree to one – but Mr. Carney brushed it off, noting he'd made his own statement on Ukraine as G7 chair and had run all the wording past G7 leaders at dinner, including Mr. Trump. At any rate, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had travelled across the world on a night when Russia launched a deadly attack on Kyiv, but Mr. Trump wasn't there when he arrived. Canada followed European countries in announcing new sanctions and substantial military aid, but the future of crucial U.S. support for Ukraine was left as a question hanging in the air. Coyne: The G7 is dead – time to move on to the G6 It sometimes seemed like some G7 leaders were stubbornly trying to return to a world before the stubborn Mr. Trump. Mr. Macron made an economically literate argument for Western nations to solve trade-imbalance issues together, without tariffs. But Mr. Trump wants tariffs. On his way back to Washington, he told reporters that if there aren't bilateral deals, he'll just tell each country how much they have to pay. As G7 host, one of Mr. Carney's tasks was to moderate the group and drive a common agenda. They agreed on some things and issued statements, for example, on developing critical minerals. There's still a rift on trade. No joint position on Ukraine. They issued a common statement on Iran but by the time Mr. Trump was in the air, he was off on his own. Mr. Macron painted the summit as a success, noting the leaders issued six joint statements on issues ranging from critical minerals to transnational repression. 'You can't ask the Canadian chair to settle all the issues of the world today, either,' Mr. Macron said. 'That would be unfair. But he held the group together.' Sort of. Mr. Carney told reporters it was an opportunity for frank discussions and building relationships, which will carry through, for example, till next week's NATO summit. And for as long as Mr. Trump was there, there was no blow-up. For Mr. Carney, that was important. But for the G7, it was a summit that couldn't muster common purpose.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
PM Modi leaves for Croatia after concluding Canada visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Croatia, the third and final stop of his three-nation tour, after concluding his "productive" visit to Canada where he attended the G7 Summit. G7 summit LIVE: G7 leaders try to salvage their summit after Trump's early exit effectively makes it 'G6' "Concluding a productive Canada visit. Thankful to the Canadian people and Government for hosting a successful G7 Summit, which witnessed fruitful discussions on diverse global issues. We remain committed to furthering global peace, prosperity and sustainability," he said in a post on X on Tuesday (June 17, 20254). In Kananaskis, the Prime Minister held "productive" exchanges with leaders of the seven-nation bloc on key global challenges and shared aspirations for a better planet. Mr. Modi also met several world leaders and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and the economy. Among the leaders that he met were his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. During his talks with Mr. Carney, Mr. Modi emphasised that the relations between the two nations are "extremely important", adding that New Delhi and Ottawa should work together to achieve win-win cooperation in various sectors. Following the talks, India and Canada agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to return to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries, according to a statement by the office of the Canadian Prime Minister. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Calgary, Canada Monday (June 16) evening from Cyprus. This was his first visit to Canada in a decade.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
G7 leaders discuss Ukraine, try to salvage their summit after Trump's early exit
KANANASKIS: Six of the Group of Seven leaders discussed Russia's war in Ukraine and international cooperation on some non-military issues, wrapping up a summit that was forced to demonstrate how the wealthy nations' club still can shape world events despite the early departure of U.S. President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his counterparts from the U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Japan were joined during Tuesday's final sessions by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO chief Mark Rutte. They focused on Russia's relentless war on its neighbor at what has essentially become just the G6. Zelenskyy said of overnight Russian attacks that killed 15 people and injured 150-plus in his country, "Our families had a very difficult night, one of the biggest attacks from the very beginning of this war." "We need support from allies and I'm here," Zelenskyy said. He added, "We are ready for the peace negotiations, unconditional ceasefire. I think it's very important. But for this, we need pressure." Carney said the attack "underscores the importance of standing in total solidarity with Ukraine." He also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate and the two countries agreed to work toward restoring new top envoys to each other. That came after Canada and India expelled each other's top diplomats last year, over the killing of a Sikh Canadian activist in Canada and allegations of other crimes. The remaining leaders agreed to jointly attempt to combat what they called non-market policies that could jeopardize global access to critical minerals. They also pledged to limit the downsides of artificial intelligence on jobs and the environment, while still embracing the potential of the "technological revolution." But though the summit was meant to showcase unity on top global issues, no joint statement on the conflict in Ukraine was released. Zelenskyy had been set to meet with Trump while world leaders were gathering in the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort of Kananaskis, but that was scrapped. The U.S. also previously signed an agreement granting American access to Ukraine's vast mineral resources.
