The annual speech by MI5 Chief Ken McCallum, in which he delivered threat assessments, on 13 October 2026, contained several very important remarks that should be seriously noted. MI5 linked the health of democracy with national security, as McCallum stated that the agency is now devoting more resources to countering state threats than during the Cold War. He highlighted Russia’s ongoing threats and attacks against Britain’s national security.
We already know that Russia’s belligerence towards Europe is undoubtedly more aggravating and direct than it was during the Cold War, and that we are clearly experiencing heightened tensions compared with that period, owing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, the MI5 Chief made some remarks that are somewhat novel in the context of national security threat assessments. Or rather than being novel, they concern concepts that have been discussed much more frequently during the Cold War.
The MI5 Chief said that Russia’s “hybrid” attacks on Britain are not only intended to cause material damage but also to disrupt society and weaken its cohesion, with the ultimate aim of undermining democracy and institutions. China is also listed as a threat in this regard, alongside Russia, which remains the biggest threat.
To combat this, the MI5 Chief said that we need societal and technological resilience, alongside systemic resilience. This requires confidence in our society and democratic institutions as society builds its technological infrastructure.
Russia poses a threat to national security in European countries not just through direct military and confrontational threats, but also by subverting democracy and institutions. This foreign interference is increasingly becoming a major priority for security and intelligence agencies in most European countries.
You can find the full speech here.
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