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
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah

UK chief of staff says West should be ready for war in three years

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 23 Jul 2024 22:40
  • 5 Shares
4 Min Read

General Roly Walker claims that the West is facing an "axis of upheaval" with escalating threats from Russia, China, and Iran.

Listen
  • x
  • UK Army Chief warns lack of lethality may mean war in 2027
    New recruits to the Ukrainian army undergoing training by UK army specialists at a military base near Manchester, England, Thursday, July 7, 2022 (AP)

The new chief of the British Army General Staff has warned that Britain must be ready to fight a war in three years and double the army's lethality as threats from Russia, China, Iran, and the DPRK escalate.

General Sir Roly Walker, the head of the general staff, told reporters that the West was facing "an axis of upheaval" with rising military ambitions, warning that a conflict with one nation may lead to another detonation elsewhere.

He argued that the UK and its allies must prepare "to deter or fight a war in three years," emphasizing the seriousness due to China's "threat" to Taiwan, Iran's nuclear goals, and Russia's military buildup evidenced by the war in Ukraine.

Walker cited US reports claiming that China's President Xi Jinping had directed military readiness for a potential Taiwan "invasion" by 2027, alongside concerns about Iran potentially violating nuclear agreements and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In a subsequent speech, Walker stated that he had "a bold ambition" for the army to "double our fighting power in three years and triple by the end of the decade," not with additional resources but by utilizing technology and techniques developed on Ukrainian battlefields, such as drones and AI.

He argued that Russia, China, Iran, and DPRK's independence was growing, citing that they are becoming more supportive of each other with weapons and intelligence.

Walker predicted that it would take "five years to grind their way through" to re-capture the eastern Donbass, costing 1.5 million fatalities, arguing that Russia could recover despite this and may emerge with "a sense of wanting retribution for the support that was given to Ukraine," thus constituting a higher medium-term threat than previously thought.

As the Labour administration has only recently begun a strategic military review following the election, Walker asserted that Britain has an "absolute urgency to restore credible hard power in order to underwrite deterrence."

Related News

UK ready to join Hamas disarmament and Gaza ceasefire mission

George Galloway, wife detained at Gatwick, released without charge

Leading the review is former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, who recently claimed that Britain and its allies were facing a "deadly quartet" of China, Russia, Iran, and the DPRK, implying that the four countries have increased their collaboration. 

Watson's comments come as the British army is at its smallest size in 300 years, having donated equipment, weapons, and vehicles to Ukraine.

While the Labour administration has pledged to increase defense expenditure from 2.32% of GDP (£64.6 billion) to 2.5%, it has not yet set a definite schedule. Ministers want to review the country's finances before deciding what is feasible, but the Conservatives previously pledged to do so by 2030.

NATO puts over 500,000 troops on high alert: Spox

This comes at a time when more than 500,000 NATO military personnel are currently on high alert, the US-led military bloc's spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah, confirmed on Sunday.

"Since 2014, NATO has undergone the most significant transformation in our collective defense in a generation," Dakhlallah told CNN.

"We have put in place the most comprehensive defense plans since the Cold War, with currently more than 500,000 troops at high readiness," she indicated.

The announcement follows the Washington Summit Declaration, where NATO leaders confirmed that Ukraine is on an "irreversible path" into the alliance.

The statement emphasized NATO's commitment to isolating Russia, strengthening security on its eastern flank, and increasing military assistance to Ukraine.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s Security Council deputy chairman, warned last week that Ukraine’s accession into NATO would be a declaration of war against Russia, pointing out that global catastrophe can only be prevented through the alliance’s prudence.

  • United Kingdom
  • Iran
  • China
  • Russia
  • war in Ukraine
  • Britain

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
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian detainee al-Arida expresses gratitude to Al Mayadeen.
Politics

Freed Palestinian detainee Mahmoud al-Arida salutes Al Mayadeen

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez gestures as he speaks at the Global Progress Action Summit, in London, Friday, September 26, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Spain to maintain arms embargo on ‘Israel’ despite ceasefire

Israeli excavators work in the Gaza Strip as the sun sets, seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian clans condemn chaos in Gaza, back security forces

The sun sets behind buildings destroyed during the Israeli aggression in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime cuts Gaza aid to 300 trucks, blocks fuel and gas

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