World order 'under threat not seen since Cold War'

The leaders of the UK and US intelligence services have raised alarms about the current state of the international world order, stating that it is under threat in a manner not seen since the Cold War. Sir Richard Moore, the chief of MI6, and William Burns, the head of the CIA, made these comments during a recent event. They emphasized the importance of both nations standing united against Russia's aggressive actions, particularly in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine. In a groundbreaking joint article, they revealed that they had anticipated the war in Ukraine and had taken steps to alert the global community by declassifying sensitive information to assist Ukraine. They also highlighted their ongoing efforts to counteract Russia's disruptive activities across Europe, advocate for de-escalation in the Israel-Gaza conflict, and combat the resurgence of the Islamic State. In their op-ed, they stated, 'There is no question that the international world order – the balanced system that has led to relative peace and stability and delivered rising living standards, opportunities and prosperity – is under threat in a way we haven’t seen since the Cold War. ' They underscored that successfully addressing this risk is fundamental to the special relationship between the UK and the US. The war in Ukraine, which has now entered its third year following Russia's invasion in February 2022, is one of the many unprecedented threats facing both nations. Sir Richard and Mr. Burns stressed that maintaining support for Ukraine is more crucial than ever, asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin 'will not succeed. ' The conflict has demonstrated how technology can significantly influence warfare, necessitating a need for both countries to adapt, innovate, and experiment with new strategies. They continued, 'Beyond Ukraine, we continue to work together to disrupt the reckless campaign of sabotage across Europe being waged by Russian intelligence, and its cynical use of technology to spread lies and disinformation designed to drive wedges between us. ' This joint article marks a significant moment for both leaders, as they also made their first public appearance together at the FT Weekend Festival in London. During this event, Mr. Burns stated that he sees no evidence of Putin's power weakening, while Sir Richard cautioned against confusing a tight grip on power with stability. He noted that the involvement of criminal elements in Russian intelligence operations in Europe indicates a level of desperation. Both leaders view the rise of China as the primary intelligence and geopolitical challenge of the century, and they have reorganized their agencies to prioritize this issue. They have also been advocating for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East, working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire and negotiate hostage deals. Mr. Burns, who has played a key role in these efforts, suggested that a more detailed proposal may be forthcoming. He expressed a profound hope that leaders on both sides will reach an agreement. The situation has been particularly dire since Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the taking of 251 hostages. Since that time, over 40,000 people have reportedly died in Gaza due to Israel's ongoing military operations, according to the health ministry run by Hamas.