The heads of British and US foreign intelligence services have warned that the international order is “under threat like not seen since the Cold War”.
The MI6 and CIA directors also said the two countries were united in “resisting an aggressive Russia and Putin’s war of aggression in Ukraine”.
Sir Richard Moore and William Burns, in their first joint article for the Financial Times, wrote that they foresaw the coming of the Ukraine war and “could have warned the international community” by declassifying it to support Kiev.
He said he was “stopping Russia’s reckless destructive activities” across Europe, promoting de-escalation in the war between Israel and Gaza, and working on counter-terrorism efforts to thwart a resurgent Islamic State.
In a FT editorial, they wrote: “There is no question that the international world order – the balanced system that has brought relative peace and stability, rising living standards, opportunity and prosperity – is under threat in ways not seen since the Cold War.”
“Managing this risk successfully” is a cornerstone of the special relationship between the UK and the US, they added.
One of the “unprecedented constellations of threats” the two countries face is the war in Ukraine, now in its third year since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
The security chiefs spoke publicly together for the first time on Saturday at the FT Weekend Festival at Kenwood House in London.
The speakers, whose details were kept secret until minutes before they appeared on stage, appeared relaxed and emphasized the close cooperation between the agencies.
Burns told attendees that Ukraine’s recent seizure of Russian territory in the Kursk region was a “significant tactical victory,” but said he saw no evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s power was weakening.
Ukraine has called on the West to supply it with more weapons and lift restrictions on their use in Russia.
Russia’s failure to do so has sometimes been blamed for fear of how Moscow would react, but intelligence chiefs have suggested that should not prevent it from providing assistance to Ukraine.
“No one should underestimate the risks if tensions escalate,” Burns said.
He said there was a “real risk” that Russia would use tactical nuclear weapons in late 2022 in response to a battlefield setback.
Burns sent a message to Russian authorities, warning them of the consequences of their use.
“But I certainly don’t think that’s the case. This is the view of my agency, but we shouldn’t be unnecessarily intimidated by it,” the CIA director continued.
“Putin is a bully and I expect he will continue to make threatening moves from time to time.”
Asked about an apparent increased willingness by Russian intelligence to carry out covert operations such as sabotage and arson in Europe, Sir Richard Moore said the use of criminals to carry out attacks showed a level of desperation.
“Russian intelligence has become a little bit brutal in some of its actions,” he said.
Burns added that even if a plan may seem amateurish, it could be “reckless and dangerous.”
Writing jointly in the FT, they said “it is more important than ever to stay the course” when it comes to supporting Ukraine, adding that Putin “will not succeed”.
The conflict has shown how technology can change the course of warfare and highlighted the need to “adapt, experiment and innovate,” they said.
They continued: “Beyond Ukraine, we will continue to work together to disrupt Russian intelligence’s reckless, subversive campaign across Europe, and their cynical use of technology to spread lies and disinformation in an effort to sow divisions between us.”
Both foreign intelligence agencies view China’s rise as the greatest information and geopolitical challenge of the century.
They wrote that they had restructured the service “to reflect their priorities.”
He said the two countries “strongly” called for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East and were working “tirelessly” to secure a ceasefire and hostage agreement.
Burns, a key figure in the ceasefire effort, suggested at a Financial Times event that more detailed proposals could be made in the coming days.
“This is ultimately a matter of political will,” he said, adding that he “sincerely” hoped that leaders from both sides could reach an agreement.
It has been 11 months since Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 251 hostages.
Since then, more than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the ongoing Israeli military operation, according to the Strip’s Hamas-run Health Ministry.