Global war fears as head of Britain’s armed forces warns ‘the world is becoming much more dangerous… simmering tensions are coming to the boil’ due to the actions of China, North Korea and Russia

The head of Britain’s armed forces has said the world is becoming “much more dangerous” as tensions between major powers “come to the boil” in several key regions.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, described the past six months as “the most eventful and worrying in global affairs since the end of the Cold War – without the optimism or hope that accompanied the fall of the Cold War.” War. Berlin Wall’.

The chief of defense staff cited Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and the increasingly assertive stance of China and Iran as just a few examples of how the world is heading toward disaster.

Speaking in Washington yesterday, Sir Tony said: ‘In Europe we have a war with no end in sight… In the Middle East, the barbaric attacks on Israel last October have, as we feared, led to fueling regional tensions… . North Korea remains belligerent as ever (and) China’s stance is becoming even more assertive.

“Around the world it feels as if long-simmering tensions are coming to a boil,” he warned – but he went on to say that Western countries could get through the turbulent times, provided they “stay strong, stick together and work together.” get through’.

Launch of a Hwasongpho-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a secret location in North Korea

This photo, taken on May 9, 2024, shows a view of destroyed and heavily damaged buildings in the Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City

NATO tanks and military vehicles stand together before large-scale exercises

British Chief of Defense Staff Sir Tony Radakin

Speaking at the Ash Carter Exchange for national security, named after the late US Secretary of Defence, Sir Tony explained his view that today’s problems are more complex than ever before, with the West’s rivals conspiring to undermine the international order to challenge.

“These challenges are becoming vaguer and vaguer – whether it is the ‘no borders’ partnership between Putin and Xi… the Russian use of Iranian drones and North Korean munitions in Ukraine… or the willingness of Moscow, Beijing and Tehran to oil sanctions – the so-called Axis of Evasion.

“And much quieter, the architecture that governs our security is in disrepair as arms control treaties expire, regional forums are suspended and hotlines that once bridged the gap fall silent,” he continued.

“In the Middle East, last October’s barbaric attacks on Israel have, as we feared, served to fuel regional tensions… Meanwhile, North Korea remains as belligerent as ever.”

But he went on to encourage his audience that Britain and her Western allies have the ability and strategic advantages to overcome these difficulties, provided they can work together, both militarily and in broader policy terms.

He called for “the return of statecraft” and pledged to maximize the benefits of key security partnerships such as NATO and AUKUS, and international treaties and agreements.

“Western governments can wield enormous collective power when they wish, which offers the greatest strategic advantage of all: freedom of choice,” he said.

‘In the UK, thanks to the improving economic outlook, the government has chosen to invest 2.5% of our national wealth in defence.

“It means we can continue to support Ukraine… see through the modernization of our armed forces… renew our nuclear deterrent… realize AUKUS’ ambition.

“But it also means that we can learn lessons from the war in Ukraine and address our shortcomings.”

Israeli army main battle tanks are deployed in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on May 9, 2024

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows missiles launched during a simulated nuclear counter-attack exercise at an undisclosed location, North Korea, April 22, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands

Sir Tony concluded his speech with a look back at D-Day, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy and ultimately succeeded in bringing about the downfall of the Nazis and ending the Second World War.

He called on Western partners to “show enormous courage and clear purpose” to uphold an “international system that is open and free.”

‘In all the major conflicts of the twentieth century, the West prevailed because we understood what was at stake.

‘That was the case in the Second World War. That was certainly the case during the Cold War. And it is no less important a condition for success in the 21st century,” he declared.

“Our greatest strength in the task we face is the very things we seek to preserve and protect.

‘Our willingness to trade and cooperate with each other. The strength and connectivity of our economies. Our unity and cohesion, and the resolve to uphold the rules and values ​​we share.

“The task now is to stay strong, stick together and get through it,” he concluded.