British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, in a column for The Telegraph, remarked, “We have transitioned from a post-war world to a pre-war world.” He highlighted the threats posed by Russia, China’s increasing aggression, Iran’s regional destabilization efforts through proxies, and North Korea’s nuclear provocations, noting that these forces are aligning against democracy.

Shapps called on NATO countries to bolster their defense capabilities and meet the commitment of spending 2% of GDP on defense. He expressed concern over some countries failing to meet this target, emphasizing the need to prioritize security.

Similarly, British Foreign Minister David Cameron conveyed a similar message during his visit to Brussels for the NATO foreign ministers’ summit. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also spoke about the shift in eras, declaring the end of a blissful peace and the onset of a new, potentially perilous era.

Meanwhile, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell highlighted Russia’s significant military recovery since its invasion of Ukraine, with defense spending reaching 6% of GDP in 2024. He noted support from China, North Korea, and Iran, though this assessment contradicts views from the Pentagon and US allies in Europe.

Overall, these statements underscore growing concerns about global security dynamics and the need for concerted efforts to address emerging threats.