Sunak's Commitment to Defence.

No doubt, NATO regards Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea as a threat. Not only to it as an organisation but also to the wider world. So how has this belief come about?

Well, looking at the world in 2024, it's easy to see why. Russia with Ukraine, China with Taiwan, Iran in the Middle East, and North Korea in the far-east represent challenges to the US and NATO. No doubt, on the other side, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea see the US and NATO as a threat.

As with everything human, who you see as an enemy depends on your political, military, religious, and geographical outlook. And, so it has been since humans sat in caves munching bananas!

NATO or the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was set up to protect Europe from the Soviet Union. Since those days NATO has seen action against the Serbs in the 1990s. Latterly in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban.

Now NATO is helping Ukraine fight Vlad The Invader and a renewed Russia. Keeping an eye on Iran, China, and North Korea too. The leading nation is the United States which would make up the bulk in any war. With other nations like the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, etc, also being alongside the US. The motto of NATO is "When one member is attacked, we are all attacked" and so must aid that attacked member. For example, if Ukraine had been a NATO member we would be at war with Russia, based on that mantra.

Rishi Sunak recently flew to Poland to meet the Polish Prime Minister. Also, to meet NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and other NATO Heads of State. Sunak announced we have reached a pivotal moment in Europe's history. We have also reached a pivotal point in the wider world's history too. It was in His words, "A turning point" we must address.

Sunak announced the UK would be upping defence spending. Sunak intends to increase defence spending by 2.4% by 2027/28. Then hitting the target of 2.5 % by 2030/31. Sunak is right to increase the UK's defence spending in light of such threats as described in this article. However, this increase in defence spending must come from a source that does affect other departments of government. In other words, the increase in defence spending is of utmost importance but must be balanced.

Labour's Steve Reed promised to carry on Sunak's policy on defence spending. Labour will likely win the next general election if polls are to be believed. So Labour committing to the Conservative's defence-spending policy is a good thing. This is the policy of the Labour Right and of Sir Keir Starmer. A break with the more left-leaning Jeremy Corbyn who was anti-NATO. Corbyn's view was/is one of peace, unity, and a world of dialogue with our so-called enemies. Which in the ideal world would be great, but as Neville Chamberlain found out, one can be fooled into peace. As Ronald Reagan used to say, "Trust but verify" in such matters.

Sunak these days is very much a man on the ropes in boxing terms. Battered by those in his party, battered by opposition parties, the polls putting Sunak's popularity in the bin, the fact he is a billionaire alongside his wife, his failure to deliver his five pledges (even though the Rwanda bill has passed), the fact no one voted for him.

All these things do not bode well for Wishy-Washy-Roshi. Sunak is a man, unless things change, running out of time. He knows this and so he is rushing to do as much as he can before the general election.

NATO