Peter Hitchens: Britain Must Defend Itself Wisely, Not Panic Over Decrepit Russian Military

In this opinion piece, journalist Peter Hitchens argues that while Britain faces genuine security threats, the public and government should avoid hysterical overreactions. He contends that Russia's military capabilities are significantly overstated and largely decrepit, suggesting that the perceived immediate danger is exaggerated. However, Hitchens emphasizes that the United Kingdom remains vulnerable due to its own severe defense shortcomings, specifically highlighting the drastic reduction in naval capacity and the effective evaporation of army strength. He asserts that Britain is no longer a great power and must accept this reality to formulate a sensible defense strategy. The core argument calls for prudent, wise spending on essential defense capabilities rather than succumbing to panic-driven policies. Hitchens maintains that strong national defense is non-negotiable, but it must be achieved through rational assessment of resources and threats. This commentary serves as a critique of both external threat inflation and internal defense neglect, urging a balanced approach to national security amidst geopolitical tensions.