Let me take a moment to contrast Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Obama at the G-20 Summit in Australia.
When Harper shook Putin’s hand, he told him, “You need to get out of Ukraine.” This earned Harper plaudits from the Australian media.
Meanwhile, President Obama sets his ire on the summit’s host, Australian PM Tony Abbott. Obama assailed Abbott for closing Australia’s border to African nations afflicted with Ebola and also criticized his efforts to combat climate change. Abbott was not intimidated and told Obama very plainly he would not commit to cutting carbon emissions or give money to the Climate Fund.
Greg Sheridan of The Australian put it succinctly: “It is a dangerous thing to be an enemy of Obama’s. Apparently, it can be fatal to be his friend.”
