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What Happens When Middle Powers Stop Trusting Superpowers?

Times Radio

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Following the NATO summit in Ankara, American allies face an uncomfortable question – can they still rely on Washington to lead?

Donald Trump is demanding more from Europe, NATO is trying to adapt and countries like Britain must decide whether to step up or become spectators in a world shaped by others.

This week, John Bew joins The General & The Journalist to discuss NATO, Donald Trump, Britain's defence strategy and the future of transatlantic security. Drawing on his experience advising four UK prime ministers, he explains what the summit means for UK national security, military spending, foreign policy, and Britain's role in a changing world.

Guest: John Bew, Professor of History and Foreign Policy at the Department of War Studies, King's College London

Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: Getty
Clips: Reuters, CBS News, Simon Walker/No 10 Downing Street

Should Nato be trying to keep the US on board or should they plan for a future without American support? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

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20 Comments

@revagreen2303 2 months ago

Carney was not referring to just American hegemony; but all large potentially extortionist powers like China, Russia,etc. How can middle powers combat? By getting together for one off trade and security arrangements.

@neksif7 2 months ago (edited)

I am so tierd of this (Comments talking about EU not able to defend it self)
Nordics is VERY Capeble of Defending ourself and eachother, Even against USA over Greenland if it comes to that!
Europe is a big place, and we are not the same up in the North!!!
/ Sweden

@simonlang1691 2 months ago

Excellent, as usual.

@OldManVern 2 months ago

The bloke on the left was dying inside after that answer to it’s not working with the USA. Hey you own house in order lmao

@IvanGreenaway 2 months ago

What an insightful guest - knowledgeable and sober. Very enjoyable.

@PeterLorimer-h3n7u 2 months ago

You make it sound as if this is some sort of possibility in the future.
Wrong tense.

@Box-oo9tx 2 months ago

Gentlemen. Do you believe that the appointment of John Healey into the Chancellor role will indeed provide more funding for Defence and will these be in line with the SDR and a revised DIF? I look forward to your response. Regsrds Guy J

@ThomasAquinas-y9p 2 months ago

KPMGCanada—A SHOCKING recent KPMG in Canada survey reveals that 42% of Canadian manufacturers are considering or have already moved production to the U.S. due to trade uncertainty and tax competitiveness. Additionally, 57% have paused or canceled capital investment:

—29% of manufacturers have already relocated some or all production to the U.S., while 13% plan to do so.

—57% of firms have scaled back, paused, or completely canceled planned capital investments.

—While 80% plan to keep their head offices in Canada, 11% plan to relocate their headquarters to the U.S. within the next five years.

—42% of manufacturers have paused or scaled back research and development (R&D) spending in Canada.

—Companies cite avoiding tariffs, lower operating costs, lower corporate taxes, and the need for more certainty as the main reasons for moving south.

@daverudkin2730 2 months ago

Sorry mark Rutte

@ireneduke5022 2 months ago

MC forgot CA is located in North America and not EU 😊

@mronline1220 1 month ago (edited)

trade and defence pacts, increase defence spending, canzuk for Canada, Australia, new Zealand, UK, free trade, free movement, defence integration possibly merged, $8.9 trillion GDP, large natural recourse's, 141.1 million population, if 5% spending target is reached combined budget $445 billion canzuk/EU pact $31.94 trillion, if defence target is reached $1.59 trillion budget, 442 million population

@TricksterDaemon-jw9hi 2 months ago

The evidence all around us is that superpowers are in competition with each other, and that everyone else is an exploitable resource, a target, a pawn. Superpowers do not form alliances... except in the most disingenuous manner. We can't say 'well THIS superpower is in OUR corner'. That is simply blind to the facts, ignores the hard evidence. A cow may say 'well THIS farmer is in my corner', but ultimately if the farmer decides to ship the cow off to the abattoir, is the relationship between the cow and the farmer one of friendship?

@collyateoo7766 1 month ago

Never heard so much bullcrap 😮

@SherryStaggs-nb1xx 2 months ago

Sorry no

@ThomasAquinas-y9p 2 months ago

The Atlantic— How Britain Became as Poor as Mississippi—A case study in self-sabotage By Idrees Kahloon , Published-JUNE 10, 2026

“The past 18 years, enough time for a whole lost generation to be born and brought up, have yielded nothing but stagnation and mass disillusionment.”

@ThomasAquinas-y9p 2 months ago

The Telegraph—All of the UK’s 5 nuclear nattack submarines are out of action, By Tom Sharpe
Published 27 June 2026 7:00am BST

[PATHETIC! US is rethinking its military alliance with the UK]

“All five of the Royal Navy's operational Astute-class nuclear attack submarines have been simultaneously sidelined in port due to severe maintenance backlogs and technical issues”

@olavmartinkvam4184 2 months ago

Good Britain have a good father like this? Only he and so-called near friends don't understand. Hurray Britain

@ThomasAquinas-y9p 2 months ago

The US is rethinking the military alliance with the UK in light of this scandalous and pathetic revelation below that puts US Soldiers in danger:

The Independent—Defense secretary admits: British armed forces can’t stop an invasion

Archie Mitchell
Thursday 24 October 2024 17:44 BST

@joshnewton9123 2 months ago

It's funny you guys can't consider yourself middle powers when you really have no military that works whatsoever You don't have enough troops to man your boats and you literally only have one boat that can be out and it can't even make it to its destination before breaking down So how are these supposed middle powers actually supposed to get together and do anything of substance with no actual hard power to back them up?

@johnnoddings6926 2 months ago

The UK being invaded is complete hype. As is NATO having to defend Europe. Who’s going to attack - Russia? We all know now how degraded and ineffective Russia is.