Red alert: Rutte warns of Putin and Xi as a double threat!

Red alert: Rutte warns of Putin and Xi as a double threat!

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte issued alarming warnings in an interview with the New York Times. He sees the possibility of a simultaneous attack by China and Russia as a serious threat to global security. Rutte emphasizes that coordinated action by the two countries could bring the world to the brink of a third world war. The situation is considered extremely tense, particularly given rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe. According to Rutte, China could launch an attack on Taiwan at the same time that Russia attacks NATO territory in Europe. This scenario shows that the West may be strategically weakened by a two-front war. Rutte therefore calls for vigilance and comprehensive preparation by NATO countries.

The NATO chief's warnings come against the backdrop of increasing cooperation between Beijing and Moscow. During the Ukraine War, China supported Russia's war effort. Rutte highlights that China may ask Russia for military assistance in Europe in the event of an attack on Taiwan. This is particularly worrying as Russia now has significant military ties with China. In 2025, Russia will train around 600 Chinese soldiers at its military bases. This close military cooperation also includes large-scale joint exercises in which China can learn from Russia's combat experiences in the Ukraine conflict. Despite this intensive cooperation, there are currently no formal military assistance commitments between the two countries.

Strategic approach and challenges

Analyzes by the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) show that China is crucial to Russia's war machine, especially in the defense sector. China supplies Russia with essential technology, components and raw materials, including semiconductors, which are crucial to the military industry. In 2023, 89 percent of Russian microchip imports will come from China. In view of these developments, NATO countries must urgently review their defense strategies. Rutte calls for faster action to counter the dual threat from Russia and China.

NATO's current strategic concept, adopted at the Madrid summit in 2022, responds to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the changes in the global security situation. It primarily deals with the security policy risks posed by the rise of China, which is being addressed for the first time in a NATO concept. Russia is identified as a key threat and collective defense is identified as NATO's most important task. NATO promises to “defend every square meter of alliance territory” and plans to increase its presence in the eastern flank states.

Prepare for hybrid threats

NATO's military strategy calls for at least 500,000 troops to be ready for deployment within 30 to 180 days, while a "New Force Model" involves increasing the number of quickly deployable units eightfold. This shift in strategy is necessary to address the growing possibility of hybrid threats, including cyberattacks and destabilization attempts. According to current assessments, Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty could be activated if cyberattacks amount to an armed attack. But NATO faces the challenge of developing unclear responses to lower levels of damage to hybrid threats.

Overall, NATO countries face an urgent need to realign their strategies and resources to meet both the threats posed by authoritarian regimes and the challenges of the rise of China. The geopolitical landscape requires quick action and increased cooperation within the alliance to prevent potential escalation of conflicts.