UUP Aiken Belfast News Letter

News Letter

The former Royal Navy nuclear submarine commander and current Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken gives his analysis of the situation in the Middle East. He does not believe Nato is at risk, but is more vital than ever. Mr Aiken was speaking from the Ulster Unionist Party conference at the Crowne Plaza hotel at Shaw's Bridge in south Belfast while the peace agreement between the US, Israel and Hamas was being finalised. Video by Ben Lowry, Belfast News Letter editor on Saturday October 13 2025    Is the world order shifting? This analysis dives into the evolving global landscape, arguing that the focus is moving from the Middle East to Europe. The discussion highlights concerns about escalating conflict in Ukraine and hybrid warfare tactics.   Discover why the speaker believes NATO is more vital than ever. The conversation addresses doubts about America's commitment to collective defense and emphasizes NATO's current actions to counter Russian influence. Learn about ongoing combat air patrols, naval operations, and efforts to address drone threats.   #NATO #UkraineConflict #GlobalSecurity #Putin

Transcript

00:01What we're seeing right now is a change in the global situation.

00:04We've now seen what's happening in the Middle East.

00:06In many respects, Trump's intervention has made sure that Iran now is no longer a threat in the Middle East.

00:12So now the focus is going to change.

00:14The focus is going to change very much to Europe and what Putin is doing.

00:18We've seen how he's been trying to escalate the conflict in Ukraine

00:21and how the hybrid war is being led across Europe in various ways.

00:25But the most important thing is for us all now to stand strong

00:28because actually there's never been a greater opportunity for NATO.

00:31What we need to be able to do now is shift the focus from the Middle East

00:34to dealing with Putin and looking after Ukraine.

00:36What do you say to those who say that NATO is almost a thing of the past

00:41and that America isn't even guaranteed to stand by the fundamentals of an attack on one being an attack on all?

00:47They're living in dreamland.

00:48Can they not see where the combat air patrols are flying over Poland right now?

00:52Can they not see where the NATO warships are operating in the Baltic?

00:55Can they not see what NATO is doing to make sure that the Russian grave fleet is being kept in bay

01:00and dealing with the issues with drones?

01:02That's what NATO is doing.

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