From Star Wars to DOGE Wars

Wednesday May 21, 2025

Here we go again with Missile Defense. Donald Trump has revived a concept reminiscent of Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) from the mid-1980s, which aimed to make incoming missiles "impotent and obsolete." Dubbed "Star Wars" by the media, it seemed inspired by the era's popular sci-fi films like "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."

This time around, Trump has not called upon the scientific community—the very sector of innovation that he and Elon Musk have rendered "impotent and obsolete" themselves, thanks to the massive DOGE chainsaw massacre they've unleashed on the federal civil service and science funding.

Trump optimistically believes that a missile defence solution will materialize before his term ends in three years. While the iron dome has notably benefited Israel, shielding it from regional threats, the North American continent presents a far more complex challenge.

Although Reagan's challenge led to some technological advancements, the dissolution of the USSR, rather than SDI, primarily eased global military tensions. Following the Soviet collapse, the urgency for missile defence subsided. When George W. Bush proposed a similar initiative, Canada, under Paul Martin, declined, echoing the earlier decision under Jean Chrétien to distance from the U.S. invasion of Iraq. These decisions drew a line in the alliance with the U.S., but also highlighted Canada's failure to boost its own defence investments.

Canada Says It Won't Join Missile Shield With the U.S. (Cartoon from February 25, 2005) The Canadian government declined to participate in the North American missile defense system, despite President George W. Bush's lobbying efforts, marking a symbolic setback for the Bush administration as it attempted to mend relations with allies post-Iraq invasion.

Instead, Canada fell short of its NATO commitments under both Harper and Trudeau, leaving it unprepared as the post-WWII security umbrella provided by the U.S. began to retract. Now, as the U.S. pushes us away, Canada must strengthen its own defences, recognizing that a military partnership with the U.S. will not be what it once was.

Importantly, Canada has invested in the Australian Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), a system that enhances long-range surveillance and defence capabilities. This partnership with Australia signifies a strategic shift towards diversifying military alliances and technologies, reflecting Canada's need to independently bolster its security measures.

A continental defence system involving Canada is crucial, but procurement won't always serve to bolster the U.S. military-industrial complex. The economic costs of Canada's gradual detachment from America's security framework must be understood by both nations as they proceed into this new era.

Substack is an invaluable platform for me, especially given the uncertainties that come with being a staff editorial cartoonist. While I remain optimistic about my future, I am acutely aware of the unfortunate layoffs and newspaper closures that have impacted many talented colleagues in our field. Please have a look at the animated making of video (it’s just 34 seconds long):