Digital only — British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps laments the delicate state of the international security situation as more voters than ever head to the polls in what could be a defining year for the world. Ta.
“I think we need to wake up to the risks that exist,” Mr Shapps said. “So we’ve been living in a kind of post-Cold War era where we received a peace dividend. That’s fine. But we can’t continue to receive the same peace dividend while receiving a peace dividend.”Russia is very aggressive right now and you can see what Iran is doing and how it’s escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“North Korea, which has nuclear weapons, is very assertive,” he added. “What will happen if China is considering all of this to see how the West will react? So what we have to do is create a peace dividend that no longer exists. It seems clear to me that the goal is not to keep trying to take it.” ”
In his first major speech as defense secretary, Mr Shapps said he expected to see more progress between the West and its rivals including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran within the next five years, especially as tensions continue to rise in many regions. He warned of the possibility of conflict. Middle East recently.
UK Defense Secretary warns of potential war with rivals China, Russia and Iran within five years: ‘Inflection point’
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps arrives at Downing Street on January 16, 2024, to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting in London. (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
But Mr. Shapps is a member of the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, the European Union, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and many other countries.
Taiwan began the election year with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party defeating China’s unspoken favorite, the Kuomintang, for a historic third consecutive term. The shock began the previous year with the come-from-behind victory of Geert Wilders of the Netherlands, who would become prime minister if a government is formed.
“It’s clear this year that in 2024 billions of people will actually get a good vote, 2 billion people will go to the polls, ensuring a world order that will be the best Democratic year in history in that sense. ,” Mr Shapps said in a statement. Interview before the US launches retaliatory airstrikes in the Middle East.
Mike Pompeo, former military official carefully assesses US airstrikes against Iranian proxies
The Israeli military said the photo shows troops operating inside the Gaza Strip on November 5. (Israel Defense Forces, via AP)
The potential to reshape the political balance of most great powers on the international stage is changing the direction of a number of issues, including Russia’s support for Ukraine in its third year of aggression, China’s regional aggression, and, most urgently, an escalation of domestic violence. will be determined. middle east.
The United States has launched airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq following an attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin revealed that 85 targets in six locations were attacked in the first wave.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Mr Shapps expressed his condolences over the deaths of Americans and stressed that Britain wants “restraint” and de-escalation from Iran. He cited ongoing attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and attacks on U.S. military personnel and assets as unacceptable actions that the Iranian government continues to support.
In this photo provided by the Indian Navy on January 27, 2024, the oil tanker Merlin Luanda bursts into flames after being attacked in the Gulf of Aden. (Indian Navy, via AP)
Mr Shapps said: “We cannot continue to violate international waterways and freedom of navigation. We call on these extremist groups to intervene, not just against Iran.” This is based on continued joint statements by the United States and its allies. .
“It’s not in anyone’s interest for this to escalate into a regional conflict, so of course we’re asking everyone to exercise restraint.”
Four Chinese nationals charged with smuggling electronic components from the US to Iran
“I want to see Hezbollah in Lebanon stopped,” he added. “I want to see these Iranian-backed extremist groups stopped and, of course, above all, I also want to see an end to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, but for that there are many preconditions, including the release of hostages. ‘is necessary’, e.g. ”
People vote in the presidential election at a polling station in Tainan City, southern Taiwan, on January 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Hang-guan)
Mr Shapps reiterated the UK’s position calling for a two-state solution, which would require recognition of a Palestinian state, but the Biden administration has reportedly begun considering that option as the president develops his post-conflict plan.
“We would be recognizing a Palestinian state, but that would also require security against Israel, so that would have to be the final state,” Mr Shapps explained.
Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force Mykola Oreshchuk speaks at the funeral of Ukrainian Armed Forces pilot Andriy Pirushchikov at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ Patriarch UGCC in Kiev, Ukraine. (Dmytro Larin/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
“I don’t think we can jump to that conclusion,” he cautioned. “We have to see a lot of things happen. First of all, we have to have a lot of agreements in place. Ultimately we want to get there. …Of course, the execution is It’s said to be much more difficult, but it’s a good start.” That would mean the hostages would be released and a sustainable ceasefire would be achieved. ”
Top Republican accuses Biden of replacing John Kerry with John Podesta, who called Chinese Communist Party official ‘friend’
Mr Shapps stressed that 2024 is a crucial year not only for the next election, but also for fragile conflict states such as the defense of Ukraine against Russia. He suspected that Russian President Vladimir Putin was aiming for a “long game” and waiting in the hopes that the West would “get tired.”
“Will we turn our backs? Maybe because of what’s happening in the Middle East… maybe because he thinks we don’t have the strength to support Ukraine to the end. So 2024 is really important. “I think it’s going to be a year,” he said. .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping toast during a dinner at Fassett Palace in Moscow on March 21. (Pavel Barkin/Sputnik/Kremlin pool photo/AP)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“We basically have to make a conscious decision: are we in favor of Ukraine establishing full sovereignty over all of Ukraine…or are we in favor of Ukraine establishing full sovereignty over all of Ukraine…or are we in favor of our democratic neighbors being invaded by China and others? “Are you just saying you don’t care if it’s done to you? We’ll look into this,” he argued.
“The situation we are seeing in North Korea, Iran and now in the Middle East… China will draw its own conclusions when it comes to Taiwan and other areas,” Shapps said. “We must wake up to the real threat, not just to Russia and President Putin, but to the entire world order.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
