Does the G8 Still Matter?

The G8 summit, taking place this week in Northern Ireland, represents a yearly gathering of 8 of the world’s 11 most wealthy countries. Every year, world leaders from the Group of 8 meet to discuss primarily the global economy, but also pressing topics such as terrorism, world food supply, and this year, the Syrian conflict. Representing 50.1 percent of the world’s total GDP, there is no question that these eight countries hold more sway than most. Yet in the face of deep divisions between members such as Russia and the US, as well as the absence of China, India, and Brazil, does the G8 truly still have relevance in today’s world?

Tug Of War in South America

After a brief respite, it seems that in recent weeks there has been heightened animosity in South America over the Falkland Islands, and whether they belong to Argentina (the archipelago is just over 300 miles off the Patagonian Coast) or the United Kingdom. The disagreement is by no means new - the Falklands War in 1982 was a stark reminder of the U.K.'s desperation in holding on to at least some of their dissolving empire - but that the tiny islands are making waves in the press again indicates a renewal of the seemingly eternal disagreement. Argentina's President de Kirchner is as fiery as any head of state, and while it may be wise for her and U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron to keep the tense words to a minimum and avoid any outright conflict, it is yet unclear how things will unfold.

Falkland residents after the vote