NEW WORLD ORDER? | Former MI6 Chief Alex Younger on the hard power threat from Trump, Putin & China

Speaking to #Peston, former Chief of MI6 Sir Alex Younger discussed the shifting landscape of global security, why having a military presence in the Arctic is so vital to America and NATO, the "fracturing" of NATO, and the urgent need for Europe to rediscover its "hard power gene" and take more responsibility of its own defence.

Reflecting on President Trump’s recent interest in acquiring Greenland, Younger argued that defining defence through "ownership" undermines the very concept of an alliance and highlighted the strategic importance of the Arctic as a new front for Russian and Chinese cooperation.

Younger explained that there are strategic issues in regard to Greenland’s ice melting and opening up a new path for Russia and China. He stressed that more importantly to Trump, owning Greenland is about having a zone of influence that he can control.

Younger echoed Mark Carney’s warning that the "old rules-based order is fading," noting that the world has become increasingly transactional. He expressed concern over the disparity in military spending, warning that while the UK and Germany lag behind, Russia is fully mobilised. Younger called for a "cultural change" in Europe, emphasising that security can no longer be underwritten by America alone and that the continent must aim to build its own technological edge.

On the UK’s relationship with China, Younger discussed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s upcoming visit to Beijing and the controversial approval of the new Chinese "mega-embassy" in London. Younger warned that while cooperation on issues like climate change is necessary, the UK must be "super pragmatic" and clear-eyed about the "prestige win" handed to the Chinese Communist Party, particularly in light of emerging cyber threats like the "Salt Typhoon" malware.

Younger concluded by stressing that Europe’s future influence depends on its ability to connect "autonomy, energy, and data," suggesting that unless the continent can foster global-scale technology companies and match the innovation of its rivals, it risks being relegated to another power's sphere of influence.

Key Moments:
00:34 - Why is the military presence in the Arctic so vital to America and NATO?
02:14 - Will the NATO framework for Greenland appease President Trump?
03:04 - Can the fracturing of NATO be reversed and does Europe need to take more responsibility for its own defence?
03:43 - Mark Carney’s Davos speech: Zone of influence, the end of rules-based order and the need for hard power.
04:46 - Do we need to strengthen our own military capability and reduce our reliance on America?
06:42 - The race for tech: Why Europe needs 20 global-scale tech giants.
07:02 - Will Europe have a sphere of influence?
07:54 - What should the Prime Minister gain from President Xi during his Beijing trip?
09:00 - Are we underestimating China’s military spending?
10:04 - Comparing military expenditure: Is the UK falling behind Russia?
11:20 - Should we be more concerned about China’s cyber threat?

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