For whatever reason, peace is not busting out at all over. After months of coyness and denials from Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, Russia has deployed the first of what will reportedly be a full squadron of fighter jets to a base in Belarus, where they will remain deployed for defensive alerts against – well, NATO. Hard as that is for members of NATO to believe, given the parlous state of our unity, purpose, and military readiness.
The former Soviet Union used bases in what was then a “federated socialist republic” in Belarus during the Cold War. But the Russians will be using a different base this time. Their Su-27 Flanker jets will operate out of Baranovichi, where the Belarusian Air Force has had its main base for the last two decades. Continue reading “Peace in our time: Belarus, missiles, and the revenge of the “Reset””
The Optimistic Conservative 