A former national security adviser has warned the world could be ‘on the brink of another World War’.
Gen. H.R. McMaster, who served as special adviser to former President Donald Trump, urged Washington and Britain to increase defense spending in anticipation of the global conflict.
He warned that a series of back-to-back crises, such as Israel’s war against Hamas and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, could spell disaster.
McMaster recommended that the White House increase defense spending to 4 percent of GDP – twice what is currently needed from NATO countries. According to the geopolitical expert, the money should be spent on high-tech missile systems such as the Israeli Iron Dome.
“We could be on the brink of another world war,” he told Andrew Marr of British broadcaster LBC Radio. “I know this sounds dramatic, but I think we need to take it seriously so we can prevent this from happening.”
Former National Security Advisor HR McMaster has warned that ‘we could be on the brink of another world war’
He warned that a series of “successive crises,” such as Israel’s war against Hamas and other conflicts, could spell disaster. In the photo: Damage in Gaza on April 7
Donald Trump’s former adviser warned that Vladimir Putin’s ongoing occupation of Ukraine is now showing signs of waning as he is not “interested in a deal.” In the photo: Ukrainian soldiers on the front line, March 6
Firefighters battle a fire in a house after Russian attacks, in the city of Derhachi, Kharkov region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine on April 26
McMaster added that defense spending at 4 percent would still be “an all-time low compared to Cold War levels.”
“It’s a lot cheaper to prevent a war than to have to fight,” he said. ‘I think every country will have to develop these kinds of defense mechanisms and long-range missiles, hypersonic missiles are important.
‘Maybe [former US President] Ronald Reagan was right about Star Wars, including space travel.”
He explained that the conflicts unfolding around the world pose an increasing threat to the West.
In addition to Gaza and Ukraine, unrest has also emerged in places such as Haiti, Venezuela and Sudan.
Renewed military activity in Taiwan has also revived fears of a future invasion by Beijing.
McMaster advocated that the White House increase defense spending to 4 percent of GDP and invest in long-range missiles or systems similar to Israel’s Iron Dome.
Other threats to Western stability include the gang wars unfolding in Haiti (pictured) following the Prime Minister’s resignation.
A woman with a child flees the area after gunshots were heard in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 20
The Venezuelan crisis also continues to pose security concerns for the US. In the photo: a meeting for Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina on May 2
When McMaster was asked how his former boss would deal with global unrest if re-elected in November, he backed Trump and said he was right to call on NATO countries to increase defense spending.
“We are sure that Trump will demand burden-sharing and reciprocity, but I think Europe now agrees to that,” he said, adding that he expected the former president to support the beleaguered nations “if he saw the facts.”
He praised Trump for criticizing Germany’s “unwise decision” to become too dependent on the Kremlin’s gas exports through Nord Stream 2.
However, he criticized his ex-boss for his “gullibility” in thinking he could one day make a deal with Vladimir Putin, and made a joke about “useful idiot” Tucker Carlson after his interview with the autocrat.
“Putin is not interested in a deal,” McMaster explained. “Putin wants to bring everyone else down, on the theory that he can be the last man standing and that he can restore the Russian empire.
“He was very clear about that when he did the interview with that useful idiot, Tucker Carlson.”
McMaster blasted Trump for misunderstanding Putin’s objectives and labeled Tucker Carlson a “useful idiot” after interviewing the autocrat earlier this year.
His comments come after Taiwan reported renewed military activity near the island by China, reigniting fears of an invasion by Beijing
His comments come after US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, Dr. John Plumb, revealed that Russia is developing anti-satellite nuclear weapons.
Recently, French President Emanuel Macron stated that he would be willing to send troops to Ukraine if Putin’s forces break through to the front lines.
The suggestion has been rejected by the US government, but Putin warned that direct conflict between Russia and NATO countries would arise if allied troops were sent to Ukraine.