Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump reiterates proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop at current front line, negotiate later
Reuters: Trump says no discussion regarding Ukraine ceding Donbas to Russia
US Vice President JD Vance: There is currently no security infrastructure in place to ensure the disarmament of Hamas
Israeli occupation forces said that "ceasefire in Gaza begins to be re-implemented."
Israeli media: 'Israel' to halt entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza until further notice.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One woman was killed and several children were injured as a result of Israeli bombing of displaced Gazans' tents in the Mawasi area of ​​Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: An Israeli airstrike targeted the eastern areas of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: An Israeli airstrike targeted Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
Al-Qassam Brigades: Communication has been severed with what our remaining fighters (if any are still alive) in Rafah, which is currently under occupation's control.
Al-Qassam Brigades says continues to abide by ceasefire, no knowledge of developments in Rafah.

British secretary of defense withdraws from bid for NATO chief

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 Jun 2023 12:51
3 Min Read

UK Secretary of Defense says the next NATO chief would have to please both Macron and Biden who have competing visions on the future of the alliance.

  • x
  • Ben Wallace is given a demonstration of an Ajax Ares Armoured Fighting Vehicle, by the crew on the training range at Bovington Camp, in England, on February 22 (AFP)
    Ben Wallace is given a demonstration of an Ajax Ares Armoured Fighting Vehicle, by the crew on the training range at Bovington Camp, in England, on February 22 (AFP)

Ben Wallace, British Secretary of Defense, announced he was opting out of running for the next NATO chief because of divisiveness among allies. 

"It's not going to happen," The Economist quoted Wallace as saying. 

After playing a primary role in providing weapons for Ukraine during the war with Russia, the UK has been aspiring for NATO leadership by getting their secretary of defense to be elected as the alliance's chief. 

The US, however, wants Jens Stoltenberg to remain as Secretary-General. Stoltenberg has been Secretary General of NATO since 2014, knowing that his term was extended in 2022 after the break out of the war in Ukraine. 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is also another front-running candidate, however, there is still no clear consensus among all 31 NATO member states especially in light of competing visions for the alliance between the US and France. The US is trying to comport the alliance to toughen up on China. France, in contrast, is pushing the alliance to serve European self-reliance.

The next NATO chief would have to please both Macron and Biden, Wallace said. 

Read more: Macron calls for decreased reliance on US warfare systems

Related News

Pete Hegseth's plan diverts to UK after onboard emergency

UK government passwords, NATO files leaked on darknet

Earlier last week, The Telegraph reported that Emmanuel Macron is trying to block Ben Wallace from becoming the next NATO secretary-general due to Brexit. 

The Telegraph reported that French officials have informed NATO counterparts that they want an EU frontman. The decision is part of France's ambition to make the bloc more militarily autonomous and less reliant on Washington for security.

Sources told The Telegraph that many countries, mostly France, are insisting the next secretary-general must be from an EU nation.

Macron has the backing of Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland.

French authorities are said to be concerned about the status of the British Armed Forces due to budget cuts, despite Macron's prior announcement that France will increase military expenditure by more than a third by 2030.

Later, The Guardian reported that the United States is skeptical of Ben Wallace's candidacy for the post of NATO secretary-general because a number of US military officials are dissatisfied with him over his measures on Ukraine. 

The US has reservations about Wallace, with some in the military unhappy with the way he has set the pace on the Ukraine issue, the newspaper revealed. 

Read more: Sunak to lobby for Sec Def to be next NATO head, seeks Biden's support

  • Nato
  • US
  • France
  • UK
  • Stoltenberg

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025
2K Palestinian detainees freed, defy occupation with mass welcome

2K Palestinian detainees freed, defy occupation with mass welcome

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Russian banks begin accepting Iranian LCs to boost bilateral trade
Economy

Russian banks begin accepting Iranian LCs to boost bilateral trade

IOF admit to the killing of two soldiers in Gaza
Politics

Israeli occupation forces says two soldiers killed in southern Gaza

President Donald Trump attends a lunch with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Politics

Trump: No Gaza troops, no more arms to Ukraine, tariffs on China

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a meeting with ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Politics

Iran-China-Russia alliance to counter EU snapback move: Tehran

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS