Cameron praises Britain and US for attacks on Houthis following Red Sea attacks

David Cameron is expected to say NATO must adopt a tougher approach for a tougher world during a speech at the National Cyber ​​Security Center on Thursday.

The Foreign Office is calling Lord Cameron’s address his first “big picture” policy speech setting out how Britain should respond to a more dangerous world.

He will call on Britain and its allies to “outdo, cooperate and innovate” their opponents in an ongoing “battle of wills”.

“If (Vladimir) Putin’s illegal invasion teaches us anything, it must be that acting too little, too late only encourages an aggressor,” Lord Cameron will say, according to pre-released extracts of his speech.

“I see too many examples in this job of this lesson not being learned.

“Take the Red Sea, where ship after ship was attacked.

“While many countries have criticized the Houthi attacks, only the US and UK have been willing and able to take action and strike back.”

He is expected to address the apparent unwillingness of some European countries to invest in defense “even as war rages on our continent.”

Lord Cameron will say that others are “so intimidated by accusations of colonialism that they do not condemn practices such as female genital mutilation”.

He will also push NATO countries to agree to spend 2.5 percent of their GDP on defense at a summit in the United States in July.

US, UK carry out more attacks against Houthis in Yemen – video

Mr Cameron will say we “must make sure all allies are on track” to meet the 2014 commitment to spend 2 per cent of GDP on defense and then “act quickly and 2.5 per cent as a new one “Set a benchmark for all NATO allies.” .

NATO says two-thirds of its 32 members are expected to meet or exceed the 2 percent target in 2024, up from 11 in 2023.

Last year only five NATO countries – Poland, the US, Greece, Estonia and Lithuania – spent more than 2.5 percent of their GDP on defense, which Britain has committed to doing by the end of the decade.

Lord Cameron will also emphasize the need for the UK to invest in legacy alliances with the freedom to be outside the EU, such as Partnerships in Europe, the Five Eyes Alliance, the G7 and NATO.

He will call for the development of new partnerships, such as the Aukus alliance with the US and Australia and the Joint Expeditionary Force’s cooperation with nations in northern Europe.

Lord Cameron will also refer to his recent trip to Central Asia and talk about “strengthening our bilateral relations with countries, such as those in Central Asia, who see the destructive, reactionary policies of our adversaries as a threat to their security and prosperity”.

He will also speak at the Lord Mayor’s Easter banquet at Mansion House in the City of London on Thursday evening.

Updated: May 8, 2024, 11:27 p.m