UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron has issued a resolute call for Western nations to bolster defence capabilities and adopt a more assertive stance in the face of escalating global tensions. Here’s the full story.
Stark Warning
In a pivotal speech delivered outside Parliament, former Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary David Cameron issued a stark warning to the UK’s allies: the West must toughen its stance in the face of escalating global tensions or risk emboldening authoritarian adversaries.
“Battle of Wills”
Cameron did not mince words, stating, “We are in a battle of wills. We all must prove our adversaries wrong: Britain, and our allies and partners around the world.”
A More Assertive Approach
Cameron’s address, his first significant statement outside Parliament since assuming the role of foreign secretary six months ago, outlined a possible strategic approach that, in his view, would enable Western nations to fortify their defensive capabilities, take a more assertive approach to foreign policy and, in particular, stand up to an increasingly aggressive Russia.
“Harder Edge”
Cameron told an audience at the National Cyber Security Centre, “We need to adopt a harder edge for a tougher world. If Putin’s illegal invasion teaches us anything, it must be that doing too little, too late, only spurs an aggressor on. I see too many examples in this job of this lesson not having been learned.”
“Out Compete”
Cameron stressed that it was vital for NATO members to “out-compete, out-cooperate, and out-innovate” the countries that would oppose the alliance.
Increased Spending
Cameron was adamant that his rhetoric be matched with action. He called on the UK’s NATO allies to bolster their defence spending and argued that the percentage of GDP spent on each member’s military capabilities should increase.
“All Allies on Track”
Cameron stated, “The upcoming NATO summit must see all allies on track to deliver their pledge made in Wales in 2014 to spend two percent on defence.”
2.5% Benchmark
He continued, “And we then need to move quickly to establish 2.5 percent as the new benchmark for all NATO allies.”
Forging New Partnerships
Cameron also underscored the importance of the NATO alliance and called on the UK to forge new partnerships with other countries around the world, particularly in light of Brexit.
Post Brexit World
Cameron used the AUKUS alliance with the US and Australia to illustrate Britain’s commitment to adapting to the shifting geopolitical reality that has unfolded since the 2016 Brexit referendum, which Cameron called and then resigned over when it was clear his side had lost the argument.
“Axis of Authoritarian States”
Russia wasn’t the only adversary Cameron mentioned during his speech. He also mentioned countries as varied as Iran, North Korea, and China as being part of what Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently labelled as “an axis of authoritarian states.”
Women’s Rights
However, Cameron didn’t only outline countries as adversaries but also whole ideologies, such as his assertion that the West, and the UK in particular, cannot be shamed by its colonial past into not pushing for greater rights for women in Islamic countries.
“Cannot Go On”
Cameron argued that, in the face of horrors like genital mutilation of women, a common practice in many Muslim-majority countries, the UK must insist that this “cannot go on.”
“Tougher and More Assertive”
He added, “We need to be tougher and more assertive.”
Chinese and Russian Meddling
Cameron also drew attention to the heightened risks posed by foreign interference, mainly Chinese and Russian meddling in foreign affairs through works of espionage or cybercrime.
“Undeclared Military Intelligence Officer”
This note was particularly well received by the audience, given that a Russian military attaché, Col Maxim Elovik, was recently kicked out of the UK after it was announced that he was an “undeclared military intelligence officer.”
170,000 Records
There have also been accusations by many in the Conservative party that a recent cyber attack which gave hackers access to the records of over 170,000 serving UK troops, reservists and veterans was perpetrated by China.
Questions Asked
Despite Cameron’s attempt to have a proactive approach to the many problems facing Britain on the international stage, some of which, like Brexit, he arguably caused, critics have questioned the effectiveness of his time as Foreign Secretary.
Falling on Deaf Ears
Despite being on the job for six months, many Western allies have been reluctant to listen to Cameron on issues such as the war in Ukraine.
Republican Rejection
Cameron was infamously snubbed by Republicans in Washington after travelling there to attempt to convince them to pass a spending bill that would provide much-needed funding to the beleaguered nation.
Robust and Assertive
Despite this, Cameron’s impassioned plea for Western nations to match the robust and assertive attitudes of their adversaries in foreign policy may well serve as a wake-up call to those who have not fully awoken to the fact that the world is in a more dangerous state than at any time since the Cold War. However, whether his call to action will have any effect remains to be seen.
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