Western countries in trouble as new threat looms
The head of Australian intelligence has warned that an "emerging axis" formed by Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran poses a serious threat to Western nations.
Andrew Shearer, Director-General of the Australian Office of National Intelligence, argued that the impact of this alliance has been underestimated.
"The massive provision by China of dual-use assistance to Putin, and economic support and diplomatic support is keeping Putin’s army in the field in Ukraine, killing innocent Ukrainians just as surely as if they were providing artillery ammunition and missiles," he said at a press conference held in Canberra.
"We have to do a better job of disrupting these burgeoning networks.This is a profoundly troubling strategic development and we are all grappling to catch up with it and put in place effective measures, but I think this is one of the strategic challenges of our time," he added.
This warning comes as Ukraine launched strikes on North Korean troops earlier this week.
According to multiple intelligence agencies, Pyongyang has deployed 12,000 troops, with a quarter already fighting in the Kursk region.
(QG - Source : Al Jazeera / Picture: © Unsplash)