The head of Britain’s armed forces has declared the world is becoming ‘much more dangerous’ as tensions between major powers in several key regions are ‘coming to the boil’.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the overall commander of the British military, described the past six months as ‘the most eventful and unsettling in global affairs since the end of the Cold War – with none of the optimism or hope that came with the fall of the Berlin Wall’.

The chief of the defence staff cited Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel and the ever more assertive posture of China and Iran as just some examples of how the world is edging toward disaster.

Delivering the grave outlook during a speech in Washington yesterday, Sir Tony said: ‘In Europe, we have a war with no end in sight… In the Middle East, last October’s barbaric attacks in Israel have, as we feared, served to inflame regional tensions… North Korea remains as belligerent as ever (and) China’s posture is becoming even more assertive.

‘All around the world long-simmering tensions feel like they are coming to the boil,’ he warned – but went on to say Western nations could navigate the turbulent times provided they ‘stay strong, stick together, and see it through’.

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

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

Tanks and military vehicles of NATO stand together ahead of large scale exercises

British Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Tony Radakin

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

‘These challenges are becoming increasingly blended and blurred – whether it’s the ”no limits” partnership between Putin and Xi… Russia’s use of Iranian drones and North Korean ammunition in Ukraine… Or the willingness of Moscow, Beijing and Tehran to collude in subverting oil sanctions – the so-called Axis of Evasion.

‘And then much more quietly, the architecture that governs our security is decaying as arms control treaties lapse, regional fora slip into abeyance and hotlines that once spanned the divide fall silent,’ he continued.

‘In the Middle East, last October’s barbaric attacks in Israel have, as we feared, served to inflame 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 capability and strategic advantages to overcome these difficulties, provided they can work together, both in a military and a broader policy sense.

He called for ‘the return of Statecraft’ and committing to maximising the benefits of key security partnerships like NATO and AUKUS, and international treaties and accords.

‘Western governments can leverage enormous collective power when they wish, which presents the greatest strategic advantage of all – choice,’ he said. 

‘In the United Kingdom, on the back of an improving economic outlook, the Government has chosen to invest 2.5% of our national wealth in Defence.

‘It means we can continue supporting Ukraine… see through the modernisation of our Armed Forces… renewing our nuclear deterrent… Realise the ambition of AUKUS.

‘But it also means we can learn the lessons from the war in Ukraine and address our shortfalls.’

Israeli army main battle tanks are positioned 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 counterattack drill at an undisclosed location, North Korea, 22 April 2024

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

Sir Tony concluded his speech by harking back to D-Day, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy and ultimately managed to bring about the downfall of the Nazis and end World War II.

He called on Western partners to ‘demonstrate enormous courage and a clear sense of purpose’ to uphold an ‘international system that is open and free’.

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

‘That was true in the Second World War. It was certainly true in the Cold War. And it is no less important a precondition for success in the 21st century,’ he declared.

‘Our greatest strength in the task that we face are the very things we seek to preserve and protect.

‘Our willingness to trade and cooperate with one another. 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 see it through,’ he concluded.

The head of Britain’s armed forces has declared the world is becoming ‘much more dangerous’ as tensions between major powers in several key regions are ‘coming to the boil’.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the overall commander of the British military, described the past six months as ‘the most eventful and unsettling in global affairs since the end of the Cold War – with none of the optimism or hope that came with the fall of the Berlin Wall’.

The chief of the defence staff cited Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel and the ever more assertive posture of China and Iran as just some examples of how the world is edging toward disaster.

Delivering the grave outlook during a speech in Washington yesterday, Sir Tony said: ‘In Europe, we have a war with no end in sight… In the Middle East, last October’s barbaric attacks in Israel have, as we feared, served to inflame regional tensions… North Korea remains as belligerent as ever (and) China’s posture is becoming even more assertive.

‘All around the world long-simmering tensions feel like they are coming to the boil,’ he warned – but went on to say Western nations could navigate the turbulent times provided they ‘stay strong, stick together, and see it through’.

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

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

Tanks and military vehicles of NATO stand together ahead of large scale exercises

British Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Tony Radakin

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

‘These challenges are becoming increasingly blended and blurred – whether it’s the ”no limits” partnership between Putin and Xi… Russia’s use of Iranian drones and North Korean ammunition in Ukraine… Or the willingness of Moscow, Beijing and Tehran to collude in subverting oil sanctions – the so-called Axis of Evasion.

‘And then much more quietly, the architecture that governs our security is decaying as arms control treaties lapse, regional fora slip into abeyance and hotlines that once spanned the divide fall silent,’ he continued.

‘In the Middle East, last October’s barbaric attacks in Israel have, as we feared, served to inflame 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 capability and strategic advantages to overcome these difficulties, provided they can work together, both in a military and a broader policy sense.

He called for ‘the return of Statecraft’ and committing to maximising the benefits of key security partnerships like NATO and AUKUS, and international treaties and accords.

‘Western governments can leverage enormous collective power when they wish, which presents the greatest strategic advantage of all – choice,’ he said. 

‘In the United Kingdom, on the back of an improving economic outlook, the Government has chosen to invest 2.5% of our national wealth in Defence.

‘It means we can continue supporting Ukraine… see through the modernisation of our Armed Forces… renewing our nuclear deterrent… Realise the ambition of AUKUS.

‘But it also means we can learn the lessons from the war in Ukraine and address our shortfalls.’

Israeli army main battle tanks are positioned 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 counterattack drill at an undisclosed location, North Korea, 22 April 2024

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

Sir Tony concluded his speech by harking back to D-Day, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy and ultimately managed to bring about the downfall of the Nazis and end World War II.

He called on Western partners to ‘demonstrate enormous courage and a clear sense of purpose’ to uphold an ‘international system that is open and free’.

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

‘That was true in the Second World War. It was certainly true in the Cold War. And it is no less important a precondition for success in the 21st century,’ he declared.

‘Our greatest strength in the task that we face are the very things we seek to preserve and protect.

‘Our willingness to trade and cooperate with one another. 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 see it through,’ he concluded.