Opinion: West portraying Belarus as adversary to distract from its own problems
Neighbouring countries in the West, trying to distract their citizens from internal problems, are shifting the focus of attention to the alleged threat from the East. They are developing evacuation plans, determining where museum valuables will be taken, and simultaneously purchasing weapons. Why are the authorities of Western countries creating artificial hysteria? In his talk with SB TV, Colonel Andrei Bogodel, the Deputy Head of the Department for Educational and Scientific Work – Head of the Educational and Methodology Department of the Faculty of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Military Academy of Belarus, answered this question.
As noted by the expert, these activities are part of the ongoing information confrontation with Belarus, “They are practicing evacuation procedures — let them do it. This serves to show their citizens that they are taking all necessary measures to address the ‘threat’ posed by Russia and Belarus. This has been happening for years. For instance, recall how the authorities in Vilnius distributed iodine tablets for free due to the proximity of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. This is all part of the same narrative.”
Mr. Bogodel suggests that these actions serve as a form of propaganda aimed at shaping the population's reactions, “The Baltic States, and to a lesser extent Poland, will continue to promote Russophobia and escalate tensions along our border. Otherwise, who will pay attention to them? Look at how they turned from the former ‘showcase’ of the Soviet Union into the backyard of the European Union. How can they can draw attention to themselves in this context? They need to distribute pills, do something in the area of the Suwalki Corridor, and build up weapons. For what? Where to? Why? Maybe it’s better for them to focus on demographics or economic issues?”
