Russia \u201cindisputably\u201d<\/em> poses a greater threat to Britain and its allies than Islamists groups such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), Gen. Mark Carleton-Smith said in his first interview since he was appointed chief of the General Staff. He also believes that Moscow is seeking to exploit Western vulnerabilities in cyberspace and in space.<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n Moscow has demonstrated that it is \u201cprepared to use military force to secure and expand its own national interests,\u201d<\/em> he told the Telegraph<\/a>. Head-chopping Islamists apparently pale in comparison.<\/p>\n Carleton-Smith was speaking after visiting UK soldiers deployed to the Baltic country of Estonia, where \u2018Russia scare\u2019<\/em>proponents<\/a> have also been known to raise a few eyebrows.\u00a0 The general provided some clues as to why the so-called\u00a0\u201cRussia threat\u201d<\/em> has risen back to the top. \u201cThe physical manifestation of the Islamist threat has diminished with the complete destruction of the geography of the so-called Caliphate,\u201d<\/em> he said, recommending that the London and its allies focus their attention on Russia.<\/p>\n Carleton-Smith, who led the 22nd SAS regiment during the Western-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, has outlined what a \u201cconventional military response\u201d<\/em> to Moscow would be \u2013 \u201cthe capabilities and coherence of the NATO alliance.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov fired back on Saturday, saying:\u201cThat\u2019s the worldview of a country that has spelt out its right to use force arbitrarily regardless of UN Security Council resolutions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n In fact, some would argue that fanning fears over \u2018evil Russia\u2019<\/em> are instrumental in explaining or justifying increased defense spending<\/a>. It wouldn\u2019t be the first time the UK establishment has done<\/a> so.<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0\u2018Russia threat ever more real\u2019: UK\u2019s May berates Moscow like \u2018recalcitrant child\u2019 & offers salvation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n That aside, the latest tough claim from the UK is echoing a similar bizarre statement made by Barack Obama in 2014.\u00a0Not mincing his words, then-US President also\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0that Russia was more dangerous than Islamic State. Well, at least that evil has been surpassed by Ebola, according to the American leader.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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