Chapter 404
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Yugoslav Civil War (1)
While America touted protectionism, they were eroding Washington's position.
Korea didn't bother hiding their intentions.
"We will pursue free and fair trade."
Pyongyang's free trade declaration was met with thunderous applause from First World nations uneasy about America's protectionism.
It started with the West German chancellor, the economic powerhouse leading Europe, scheduling a visit to Korea, and soon top leaders from across Europe lined up to visit as well.
"No, we said we'd only show protectionism across the Atlantic as a demonstration."
America was caught off guard by the picture Korea had painted.
Europe was an ally that had to stand with Washington no matter the situation.
For those allies to rush to Pyongyang and line up was an extremely dangerous signal.
To stem the unrest among its allies, the U.S. government quietly emphasized behind the scenes that its protectionism wouldn't be that intense.
But no country was naive enough to trust mere verbal assurances that weren't even official declarations.
"How can we trust words that can be flipped with a simple about-face? Words are easy to change."
America grew anxious watching First World nations draw closer to Pyongyang.
Of course, with the First World alliance also encompassing political and security ties, it wouldn't collapse overnight.
Even so, what Korea had touched on—economics—had the greatest ripple effects of all.
If Europe developed deeper economic ties with Korea, it would inevitably come under Pyongyang's influence in politics and security as well.
Economics and political-security issues were inextricably linked.
As Korea watched the First World nations' ranks falter, it swiftly made its next move.
"We need to supply more Soviet raw materials and EA industrial goods to Europe."
To do that, they needed to fling open borders that had been sealed shut.
Not just a few roads or one or two rail lines, but the entire border.
Moscow voiced concerns about Pyongyang's bold plan.
"What if Eastern Europe gets shaken up?"
"Don't worry about that."
In fact, the Eastern Bloc had more advantages here than the Soviet Far East.
Eastern Bloc countries had consumed large quantities of high-quality Korean consumer goods over the years, building up a solid resistance to Western products.
On top of that, after the economic war, they'd imported heaps of Western goods, so Western culture held no particular allure.
Moreover, their regimes were transitioning politically to authoritarianism and economically to capitalism, having largely shed the flaws of communism.
In this context, opening up wouldn't lead to the kind of collapse seen in the Soviet Far East.
"If problems arise, the Agency of National Intelligence and Security will provide support."
To persuade the Soviets, Korea also promised economic aid.
After receiving Korea's broad-ranging commitments, the Soviets agonized before agreeing to full openness.
"The Iron Curtain is finally over."
With that, the ideological barrier dividing the First and Second Worlds crumbled completely.
"Let's open an era of shared prosperity together."
The proactive overtures from the Second and Third Worlds were enough to excite Europe.
While America hinted at protectionism, the Second and Third Worlds had thrown their doors wide open.
What did that mean?
"The era of transatlantic trade is over. The trend is Eurasian trade."
European companies jumped on the bandwagon, aggressively advancing into the Eastern Bloc.
Korea, too, accelerated its establishment of factories and branches in Europe to match the expanding trade volume.
This economic convergence between the two sides, in turn, drove a retreat in U.S.-Europe relations.
America saw the economic fusion of Europe with the Second and Third Worlds but couldn't reverse its protectionism rhetoric.
*If we did, the voters wouldn't stand for it.*
America had only one strategy left.
"We have no choice but to lean on our role as a security and political alliance."
America stood in opposition to Korea and the Soviet Union, forcing Europe to line up with Washington.
"To do that, we need to create some military friction. Any ideas?"
"There's no shortage of methods."
First, U.S. forces rolled out measures to provoke the Soviets.
"It's been half a century since the Soviet Union occupied the Baltic states. Isn't it time we acknowledged the Balts' aspirations for freedom?"
As it made these statements, America invited leaders of the Baltic exile governments to the White House and publicly declared no compromise with Moscow.
"Have they lost their minds? That's interference in internal affairs."
The Soviets condemned America's actions as meddling in domestic matters.
"If that's interference, then was occupying a sovereign nation proper?"
"That's something you lot have done plenty yourselves—don't be hypocrites."
America brought the Baltic issue before the UN.
The long-dormant Baltic question instantly became a hot potato.
America and the CIA went further, infiltrating agents into the Baltics to stir things up.
These moves reignited the Baltic independence movement that the Soviets had barely quelled.
"We want to return to sovereignty, not remain part of the federation!"
The surging independence fervor in the Baltics instilled a grave sense of crisis in the Soviets.
"We have no choice but to crush this with force."
Despite Pyongyang's pleas, Moscow decided to deploy the military.
Over 200,000 Soviet troops were sent into the Baltic states.
"See that? You want economic ties with thugs who crush freedom protests with brute force? What happens if those reds roll their tanks into Europe?"
America once again evoked Cold War memories, stirring "camp consciousness" in Europe.
"Think carefully. Even if protectionism leaves you a bit miffed, it's the United States that ultimately protects you."
America's ploy was blatant, but effective.
As anti-Soviet sentiment spread among the European public, politicians began postponing scheduled visits to Moscow and Pyongyang.
Korea saw the shift and immediately prepared countermeasures.
"If the Soviet army's threat is the issue, just pull back the Red Army."
The Soviets needed to downsize their forces anyway.
Pyongyang pushed through reductions in Soviet troops stationed in Czechoslovakia and East Germany after discussions with Moscow.
"If Soviet forces poised to strike Europe number fewer than 100,000 in a crisis, is that even a threat?"
Reducing Soviet troops would inevitably diminish the need for U.S. forces as well.
Korea agreed to cover a significant portion of the withdrawal costs for Soviet forces from East Germany and Czechoslovakia.
"Let's cut nuclear arsenals too."
Combined, Korea and the Soviet Union's nuclear warheads could obliterate the world several times over.
This was unilateral disarmament without U.S. negotiations.
"We're the side truly committed to peace. No need to fear."
The Soviets began dismantling warheads to repurpose them as reactor fuel.
"There. We've cut back the red army and nukes. Now what?"
Korea and the Soviets acted to reduce America's necessity in security and politics.
"But we can't do much about the sudden anti-Soviet sentiment overnight."
That was true.
Still, if they could eliminate Europe's long-term reasons for needing America, the current situation could be fully reversed.
America knew this too.
"If things play out as Korea envisions, we'll be at a huge disadvantage."
Europe could shift from a solid ally to an uncertain one.
To prevent the weakening of the First World alliance, America needed to demonstrate its indispensability to Europe.
As Washington pondered, the CIA brought a proposal.
"Your Excellency, how about exploiting the Yugoslav civil war?"
The U.S. government had paid little attention to the Yugoslav civil war that had broken out recently.
Though Yugoslavia was in Europe, its communist past meant scant U.S. interests there.
"What's that got to do with European issues?"
"Since it's happening right next door to Europe, a little media hype can draw European attention."
"Go on."
"Then we urge European 'solidarity' to intervene."
The CIA's intent was straightforward.
Focus European attention on the Yugoslav civil war, then push for EU intervention.
But Europe lacked the political or institutional readiness for 'war.'
It was obvious they'd creak along and accomplish nothing.
As Europe wallowed in powerlessness, Washington would swoop in to solve everything.
Washington found the CIA's scenario plausible.
"That should give Europeans ample reason to feel our necessity."
The White House liked the plan.
One concern lingered, though.
"Everything else aside, what if the Soviets or Koreans intervene in our picture? Won't that ruin it? Any countermeasures?"
"Of course."
The CIA asserted the Soviets lacked the capacity to intervene until their domestic issues were sorted.
Korea might have the means, but Pyongyang had no stake in Yugoslavia.
Would Korea dispatch troops to a country with no interests?
They'd first have to overcome public opinion.
The CIA promised it could handle that.
"No matter how dictatorial Bae Seong-jun is, he won't jump into a war with bad optics and little gain."
"Good. Draw it up as you envision."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
With the White House's approval, the CIA sprang into action.
Crisis was opportunity.
If they could flip the board through this Yugoslav civil war, the First World alliance would hold firm.
The bald eagle turned its gaze to the Balkans with this intent.