Summary
The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, emphasizes the heightened dangers facing the world today, particularly due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He expresses confidence in Ukraine's ability to sustain itself against Russian aggression, citing the country's resilience and ingenuity. However, he acknowledges that Ukraine will require continued support from allies, especially the United States, to achieve a favorable resolution to the conflict.
Knighton highlights the increasing military threat posed by Russia, noting that it is more powerful now than in recent years and has openly declared intentions to undermine NATO. He stresses the importance of maintaining and increasing defense spending to address these challenges, pointing out that the UK must contribute significantly to NATO's collective capabilities. Despite recent budget constraints that have led to the cancellation of some military training, Knighton remains committed to prioritizing essential operations to deter threats.
The conversation also touches on the need for a national dialogue about defense, with Knighton suggesting that the British public should be more aware of the risks posed by global instability. He advocates for a balance between raising awareness and avoiding panic, urging for a pragmatic approach to preparedness that includes both individual and national resilience. As the UK navigates these complex security dynamics, Knighton calls for increased investment in defense to ensure the country's safety and stability.
Show Notes
The country is under threat. Russian aggression, war in the Middle East and a military which has been ‘hollowed out’ for decades have all led to a crisis point for the United Kingdom. In a special episode of This Is Why, Britain’s most senior military official has explained why he believes this is the most dangerous moment in his 35-year career. In a wide-ranging interview with Niall Paterson, the Chief of the Defence Staff – Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton – has also revealed: How John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary took him by surprise The battle for more military spending, and what to do with the money Why it’s vital to have an honest conversation about national resilience
There is more exclusive content with Sir Richard Knighton on the new Sky News Defence Insider app. Sky News Defence Insider is a subscription app designed for audiences seeking deeper insight into defence, security and global affairs. Download and subscribe here. Paid subscription required for full access. UK only. 18+. T&Cs apply. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]
More from This Is Why
Aged eight, Harry Kane risked being written off when he was released by Arsenal. But Kane persisted, and he was taken on by Tottenham Hotspur's academy. He went on to become the club's all-time top scorer, but his goals didn't result in any trophies for Spurs. His move to Bayern Munich changed that, with the striker having won the Bundesliga twice since moving to Germany. Also, under his captaincy, England achieved their best result at a World Cup since 1966 this summer. Niall talks to Rob Harris, Sky's sports correspondent, about how Kane, aged 33, became the first English player to win football's top individual prize in 25 years. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]
People are surviving on plants, have no power and hardly any water in Oleshky, a Ukrainian city occupied by Russia since the first days of the 2022 full-scale invasion.
There's been a rush to buy Sally Rooney's books after she said she can no longer sell them in the UK. Rooney, known for best-selling novels Normal People and Conversations with Friends, said the decision was made with her publisher over her support for the banned group Palestine Action A month after the group was proscribed by the UK government as a terrorist organisation, Rooney said she would donate the earnings from her UK work to them. The Irish author, seen as one of the most important writers of her generation, has been backed by hundreds of writers and public figures who have signed an open letter to the government. Mhari Aurora speaks to Helen Brown, who writes about culture for the Telegraph, about what is behind Rooney's decision.
PHP. The three little letters few people realised were so vital for most of the websites in the world. But a vulnerability in a piece of programming virtually all of us had never heard of has affected everyone from small businesses to major governments. Millions of cyberattacks have followed in the wake of the problem being made public. But the fact is, your personal information – from email addresses to bank details – was already at risk. AI is increasingly both poacher and gamekeeper – discovering the vulnerability in the first place but also playing a vital role in cybersecurity. So, is it time to rethink our online lives? Gareth Barlow speaks to Sky’s technology correspondent Rowland Manthorpe. Have you got a question for the show? Email us: [email protected]
Winter is coming. So, a decision to finally allow drilling at the controversial Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea should be welcome. Well, not by environmental campaigners – who've accused the government of backtracking on its net zero commitments. And even supporters of North Sea expansion have admitted opening Jackdaw won’t reduce energy bills, even though it could start helping to supply homes within months. Why, then, has Andy Burnham invested so much political capital in giving the go-ahead? Gareth Barlow is joined by Sky’s science and technology editor Tom Clarke and business correspondent Paul Kelso. Have you got a question for the show? Email us: [email protected]