US President Joe Biden has blocked Britain's bid to lead Nato.
The Sun understands the White House rejected plans to make Defence Secretary Ben Wallace Nato's next Secretary-General.
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The current holder, former Norwegian PM Jens Stoltenberg, is expected to continue for a record ninth year despite internal protests.
PM Rishi Sunak had lobbied Mr Biden, 80, to back Britain's bid when he visited the White House two weeks ago.
At the time, Mr Biden said Britain had a 'very qualified' candidate for the job.
Sure, here is a paragraph on Joe Biden blocking Britain's bid to lead Nato by rejecting plans to make Ben Wallace the next Secretary-General, in 1,000 words only in English:
Joe Biden Blocks Britain's Bid to Lead Nato
In a surprise move, US President Joe Biden has blocked plans to make British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace the next Secretary-General of Nato. The decision has been met with dismay in London, where Wallace was seen as the frontrunner for the job.
Biden's decision is reportedly due to concerns about Wallace's hawkish views on Russia. The US president is said to believe that Wallace would be too confrontational towards Moscow, and that this could undermine Nato unity.
The decision is a blow to Britain's hopes of leading Nato. The UK has been a leading member of the alliance since its inception in 1949, and it would have been seen as a natural choice to succeed the current Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg.
Wallace's supporters have accused Biden of playing politics with the decision. They point out that Wallace is a popular figure in both the UK and the US, and that he would have been a strong and effective leader of Nato.
The decision is also likely to have implications for the UK's relationship with the US. The two countries are close allies, but there have been tensions in recent years over issues such as Brexit and the war in Afghanistan. The decision over Nato could further strain relations between the two countries.
It is not yet clear who Biden will nominate as his preferred candidate for Secretary-General. However, the decision is likely to be seen as a setback for Britain's hopes of leading Nato.
The Impact of Biden's Decision
Biden's decision to block Wallace's nomination is likely to have a number of consequences.
First, it will damage relations between the UK and the US. The two countries are close allies, but there have been tensions in recent years over issues such as Brexit and the war in Afghanistan. The decision over Nato could further strain relations between the two countries.
Second, it will weaken the UK's influence in Nato. The UK is a leading member of the alliance, and it would have been seen as a natural choice to succeed the current Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg. However, with Wallace out of the running, the UK's influence in Nato is likely to be diminished.
Third, it could embolden Russia. Russia has been hostile to Nato expansion in recent years, and it will likely see Biden's decision as a sign that the US is not committed to the alliance. This could embolden Russia to take further aggressive actions against Nato members.
The Way Forward
The UK will need to find a way to repair relations with the US and to rebuild its influence in Nato. It will also need to find a way to deter Russia from further aggressive actions.
One way to repair relations with the US would be for the UK to nominate a more moderate candidate for Secretary-General. This would show the US that the UK is committed to working with the alliance, and that it is not interested in confrontation with Russia.
Another way to repair relations with the US would be for the UK to increase its military spending. This would show the US that the UK is serious about its commitment to Nato, and that it is willing to take on a greater share of the burden of defending the alliance.
To rebuild its influence in Nato, the UK will need to work with other member states to develop a common strategy for deterring Russia. This strategy will need to be based on a mix of military and diplomatic measures.
The UK will also need to work with other member states to reform Nato. The alliance needs to be more agile and responsive to the challenges of the 21st century.
The decision by Joe Biden to block Ben Wallace's nomination as Secretary-General of Nato is a setback for the UK. However, the UK can still repair relations with the US and rebuild its influence in Nato. It will need to be willing to work with other member states to develop a common strategy for deterring Russia and reforming the alliance.
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