Britain's top military officer has cautioned that the world may be entering a "third nuclear age," marked by complex challenges and diminishing security frameworks. Admiral Tony Radakin highlighted these concerns during a speech at the Royal United Services Institute; the yearly lecture by the head of Britain's defense staff is a tradition at RUSI, a leading think tank on military and strategic issues. While the first nuclear age was defined by the Cold War rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union, and the second nuclear age saw more countries gain access to nuclear weapons, leading to efforts to curtail their spread, this possible third age is "altogether more complex."
It's one characterized by "multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before," Radakin said. He pointed to Russia's nuclear threats regarding Ukraine, China's nuclear expansion, Iran's uncooperative stance on its nuclear program, and North Korea's unpredictable actions. Additionally, he underscored the growing dangers of cyber-attacks, sabotage, and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing the West. Particularly alarming is the stationing of North Korean troops with Russian forces near Ukraine, which Radakin described as the year's "most extraordinary development."
In his lecture, Radakin advocated for ongoing reforms within the British military to address these evolving threats. That includes ensuring the UK's nuclear deterrent remains a priority, as it significantly influences Russian military calculations. The UK consistently maintains at least one nuclear-armed submarine on patrol to respond to potential nuclear threats. As part of the response, the UK government is conducting a strategic defense review to re-evaluate the future structure and equipment of its armed forces, with findings expected in the first half of next year. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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