Apocalypse soon? Britain ups its defence

末日将至?英国提升其国防力度

The Intelligence from The Economist

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2025-06-03

22 分钟
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Britain, alongside other European countries, faces rising threats to its security. But a bold new strategy to bolster its defence forces risks being underfunded. Investors may be losing faith in long-term government bonds as a safe haven (8:42). And why a surprising number of French adults are choosing to be baptised (16:27). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+
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  • The Economist Hello and welcome to The Intelligence from The Economist.

  • I'm Rosie Bloor.

  • And I'm Jason Palmer.

  • Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

  • Government bonds are typically seen as a safe haven,

  • but in recent months yields on long-term American treasuries have been so high,

  • that some investors are reassessing the risks of lending to Uncle Sam.

  • Our correspondent explains all.

  • And a weirdly high number of French adults are finding God, the Catholic kind anyway.

  • We ask why the number of baptisms is going up,

  • discovering that part of the answer can be found online.

  • But first...

  • A step change in the threats we face demands a step change in British defence.

  • That's the claim made in the new 140-page Strategic Defence Review,

  • a document that is supposed to make Britain safer.

  • We are moving to war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces.

  • As Claire Stammer said yesterday, the risks are clear.

  • Within a few years, Russia could have the capability to attack NATO,

  • even as America shifts its focus and troops from the continent.

  • European governments are rushing to develop a new strategy.