The Group of Eight will meet in Northern Ireland on Monday, and world leaders are already descending on the Lough Erne golf resort, amid unprecedented security.

US President Barack Obama will attend an engagement in the city of Enniskillen before traveling to the resort for the afternoon meetings.

Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper is already there, as is Japanese leader Shinzo Abe who stopped by Poland on his way over to try and sell Japanese nuclear power technology.

Police have closed off a 6-mile stretch of the River Erne that passes through the resort.  7 thousand NI officers will be on duty, supported by another 900 Gardai on loan from the Irish Republic.  They’re keeping close eyes on dissident Republicans from Northern Ireland, as well as anti-capitalist and anarchist groups. 

But even before the talks get started, there is a feeling of lowered expectations, mainly because the Syrian Civil war is expected to absorb most of the oxygen in the room. 

The US, UK, and France have accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons in violation of international law, and have expressed mild to moderate interest in arming the rebels.  Canada and Germany are not looking for any escalation that could rub off on them.  Russia is backing the Syrian government.