Forces chief warns of nationalism ‘like the 1930s’ in wake of Covid

Britain’s military chief has warned that the coronavirus pandemic has led to “nationalist barriers” reminiscent of those raised in the 1930s in the lead-up to the Second World War.

Speaking in an interview with The Telegraph, General Sir Nick Carter, the Chief of the Defence Staff, warned that the pandemic could present “security challenges” similar to those faced during the 1930s.

“What you generally find with a crisis like this, which becomes an economic crisis, is that it then undermines the stability and security situation as well,” the UK’s top military commander said. “What often follows a very significant economic event is a security challenge.”

“If you look at the 1930s, that started with a significant economic crash – and that acted as a very destabilising feature,” he continued. “There are moments in history when significant economic challenges have led to security challenges because they act as a destabiliser.”

To avoid a similar trend, Sir Nick said global cooperation would be needed.

Read more: Covid vaccine to be offered to over-65s from next week

“My view is that global solidarity is what you need to deal with so many of the challenges and threats we face today, whether it is violent extremism, climate change or problems like Covid,” he said. “These are problems that have to be solved globally.”

At the same time, the military chief said he believed that comparing how Western democracies have handled the pandemic compared to authoritarian states will lead people to question which form of government they prefer.

“How have nations done that are democratic as opposed to those that are less democratic? It has brought things into better perspective,” he said.

“We will be confronted with a couple of big choices. There will be a big choice between totalitarian surveillance and citizen empowerment, and there will be a big choice between global solidarity and nationalist isolation,” he said, according to The Telegraph.

The military chief also warned that differing approaches between rival states could deepen tensions, with the pandemic forcing countries to ask “some very big questions about your supply chains and how you protect your people”.

In the UK, Sir Nick said he believed the pandemic has at least shone some light on the military’s role, with thousands of military personnel being called upon to support the NHS in the fight to combat the spread of coronavirus.

“In the past we have been popular with the British public, but we were not well understood,” he said. “As a result of the pandemic, people have learnt a lot about our adaptability and innovation and planning ability.”