War-mongering in Europe has gone to extremes, with military leaders sounding the alarm about “fake wars,” trying to drum up support for Ukraine and increasing fear of Russia, as citizens’ overall patience with this narrative of conflict has diminished considerably.
Now, the UK's top general says they are living in a “pre-war” scenario, insisting that only “citizen armies” will be able to defeat Russia's coming avalanche of disruption to Western societies.
The British army chief warned UK citizens to be preparing for war on the scale of the great conflicts of the twentieth century – and that they may need to mobilize.
Euronews reported:
Speaking at the International Armored Vehicles Exhibition in London, General Sir Patrick Sanders said the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a sign of things to come, warning that the lessons of previous wars must be remembered before it is too late.
He said: “Our ancestors failed to realize the repercussions of the so-called July crisis of 1914 and stumbled into the most horrific wars.” We cannot afford to make the same mistake today. “Ukraine is really important.”
General Sanders insisted that the scale of this potential conflict he envisioned “should not be underestimated.”
“This war is not just about the black soil of the Donbass region, nor about re-establishing the Russian Empire. It is about defeating our system and our way of life politically, psychologically and symbolically. How we respond as the pre-war generation will reverberate throughout history. Ukrainian courage is buying time for now.” .
The general also called for nearly doubling the size of the British Army. The British Army generally plans to reverse the long-term recruitment crisis that has reduced its numbers even as British forces participate in various missions abroad.
While traditional mobilization sending people to the front lines has been important, ordinary British citizens must be prepared for a level of civic mobilization not seen since World War II.
Sanders' calls for an “all-of-nation” war echo German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who has made radical calls for Germany to prepare for war with Russia.
In a move repeated in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's beleaguered government, officials were forced to walk out and reject the general's ideas.
ABC News reported:
Max Blain, a spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, said the government had “no intention” of introducing conscription.
“The British Army has a proud tradition of being a volunteer force. There are no plans to change that,” he said.
He added that “engaging in virtual wars” was “not useful.”
Read more:
Rishi Sunak quickly backtracks and ensures the UK is not about to send troops into Ukraine
