Europe'sdecades of underinvestment in defence"is no longer merely inefficient - it is dangerous", a former UK Chief of Defence Staff has warned. General Sir Nick Carter said thecontinent faces growing external threatsat the same time as its political, fiscal and industrial systems are struggling to respond. In a stark warning ahead of a security conference in Germany this week he said: "Thepath ahead for Europe’s leaderswill not be easy; they cannot afford to fail. Drift is no longer a neutral option."
The General added: "Europefaces a growing external threatin an evolving world order at the same time as its political, fiscal and industrial systems are struggling to respond.After decades of underinvestment in defence, this is no longer merely inefficient – it is dangerous." His intervention comes in a new paper from a think tank founded by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, which was developed alongside similar groups from the continent.
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It argues Europe "should be a superpower: economically, politically and militarily," but that the continent's failure to act reflects "decades of strategic complacency."
The chilling warning states European security has rested on "fragile assumptions" since the end of the Cold War, including that the US would remain a "global policeman" and that China could be managed through "rules and institutions".
It argues that these assumptions "did not collapse overnight - but the world around Europe has hardened".
The report, backed by General Sir Nick, sets out five tests it says European leaders must meet to ensure the region's future safety.
They include backingUkrainein its ability to defend itself from future aggression, imposing further limitations on Putin's abilities to interfere in electrons and addressing a slump in defence spending.
Whilst the paper backs the continent remaining within NATO, it cautions that European states must contribute more rather than relying on the United States.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
