China’s Military Drills in Belarus: A New Challenge to NATO’s Eastern Flank?

China has recently begun its “Eagle Assault” military drills with Belarus, a move that has raised concerns among NATO members. The drills, which will last for 11 days, aim to improve anti-terrorism operations and include missions like hostage rescue. This is the first time Chinese troops have conducted maneuvers near NATO’s borders.

The drills come after Belarus was admitted to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a framework dominated by China and Russia. Chinese experts believe that the joint exercises will help maintain peace and stability in Eastern Europe by addressing non-traditional security threats.

However, the move has not been well-received by Poland and Ukraine. Ukraine has accused Belarus of launching a psychological operation against it, trying to create a second front along the Ukrainian border. Belarus has denied these claims, but Ukraine has refuted them.

Belarus is a key ally of Russia, and its membership in the SCO has raised concerns among NATO members. China’s involvement in the region is significant, as it has been deepening its ties with Moscow. The country has also been strengthening its military cooperation with Belarus, which has been a major concern for NATO.

Some experts believe that China’s move is meant to send a message to NATO and establish deterrence. Others think that Belarus has been used by Russia in the past and is now being leveraged by China to demonstrate its presence in the alliance’s eastern flank.

China’s efforts to develop relations with Belarus are part of its goal to unite states with negative relations with the West into an alternative global order. Challenging NATO, which is a core component of the existing order, is a bonus.

China’s aid to Russia in Ukraine has been creative, with psychological operations and information warfare being a key component. China views Belarus as another anchor in Eastern Europe, and its location within the European continent is of vital interest to Beijing.

The country has also been fostering ties with Hungary, another NATO member country in East Europe. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently visited Beijing, which has raised concerns among NATO members.

Some observers believe that China’s outreach to Belarus may be just a Russia-China collusion to tether Ukraine. The US and NATO have accused China of supplying the Russian military against Ukraine, an accusation that China has dismissed.

China’s deployment in Belarus comes days after the NATO chief condemned China’s alleged military support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The move has raised concerns among NATO members, who believe that China is fueling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War Two.

Key Points:

• China has begun its “Eagle Assault” military drills with Belarus, a move that has raised concerns among NATO members.
• The drills aim to improve anti-terrorism operations and include missions like hostage rescue.
• Belarus is a key ally of Russia and its membership in the SCO has raised concerns among NATO members.
• China’s involvement in the region is significant, as it has been deepening its ties with Moscow.
• China’s efforts to develop relations with Belarus are part of its goal to unite states with negative relations with the West into an alternative global order.
• China views Belarus as another anchor in Eastern Europe, and its location within the European continent is of vital interest to Beijing.
• The country has also been fostering ties with Hungary, another NATO member country in East Europe.
• Some observers believe that China’s outreach to Belarus may be just a Russia-China collusion to tether Ukraine.

Historical Context:

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established in 2001 as a regional organization aimed at promoting economic and security cooperation among its member states. Initially, it consisted of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Over the years, the organization has expanded to include other countries, including Belarus, which joined in 2015. The SCO has been seen as a counterbalance to Western influence in the region and has been criticized for its lack of transparency and human rights concerns.

The relationship between China and Russia has been growing stronger in recent years, with the two countries cooperating on various issues, including energy, trade, and security. China has been a key player in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, providing financial and military support to Russia. The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, with the West imposing sanctions on Russia and Russia accusing Ukraine of being a “fascist” state.

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance established in 1949 to provide collective defense against potential threats from the Soviet Union. After the Cold War, NATO expanded its membership to include Eastern European countries, which had previously been part of the Soviet sphere of influence. The alliance has been involved in various military operations, including the war in Afghanistan and the conflict in Libya.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• China has begun its “Eagle Assault” military drills with Belarus, a move that has raised concerns among NATO members. • The drills aim to improve anti-terrorism operations and include missions like hostage rescue. • Belarus is a key ally of Russia and its membership in the SCO has raised concerns among NATO members. • China’s involvement in the region is significant, as it has been deepening its ties with Moscow. • China’s efforts to develop relations with Belarus are part of its goal to unite states with negative relations with the West into an alternative global order. • China views Belarus as another anchor in Eastern Europe, and its location within the European continent is of vital interest to Beijing. • The country has also been fostering ties with Hungary, another NATO member country in East Europe. • Some observers believe that China’s outreach to Belarus may be just a Russia-China collusion to tether Ukraine. • The move has raised concerns among NATO members, who believe that China is fueling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War Two. • The US and NATO have accused China of supplying the Russian military against Ukraine, an accusation that China has dismissed. • China’s deployment in Belarus comes days after the NATO chief condemned China’s alleged military support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.