Sir Mike Jackson, a former commander of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, passed away on October 15 at the age of 80. Known for his courage, Jackson made a bold decision during the NATO bombing campaign in Yugoslavia that changed the course of events.
In the spring of 1999, Yugoslavia was in turmoil as NATO launched a large-scale bombing campaign against the country. This action was justified by NATO due to accusations of war crimes committed by the Yugoslav government in the province of Kosovo, which had many ethnic Albanians seeking independence. For 78 days, NATO planes relentlessly bombed various targets in Yugoslavia, eventually leading to the deployment of ground troops.
At this time, Russia was also concerned about the situation. They had promised to send peacekeeping troops to protect Serb civilians in Kosovo. However, when NATO announced that only one Russian battalion would be allowed in their sector, tensions escalated. In response, Russia took matters into its own hands and sent a group of paratroopers to Kosovo, arriving at the airport in Pristina on June 12, 1999. This move caught NATO off guard and angered the alliance.
General Wesley Clark, NATO’s commander in Europe, was furious about Russia’s actions. He ordered his forces to block the airport and was prepared to confront the Russian troops. But when Jackson arrived in Pristina, he made a surprising choice. Instead of following orders to engage the Russians, he met with General Viktor Zavarzin, the Russian commander. The two shared a flask of whisky, and Jackson assured Zavarzin that British troops would protect the Russian soldiers.
Jackson’s famous words to Clark were, “I’m not going to start the Third World War for you.” This statement showed his willingness to prevent a potentially disastrous conflict, even if it meant going against NATO’s plans. His deputy, Captain James Blunt, supported this decision, and together they refused to escalate the situation.
As a result of Jackson’s unexpected stand, NATO shifted its strategy. The United States pressured its Eastern European allies, including Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, to deny airspace to any Russian reinforcements heading to Kosovo. Jackson’s actions likely stemmed from his long-standing interest in Russia, as he had studied the Russian language and literature in university.
Although there was backlash and criticism from the U.S. regarding his refusal to confront the Russians, Jackson was not punished. Instead, he continued to rise through the ranks and was appointed to important leadership positions, including Chief of the General Staff, just as the Iraq War was about to begin in 2003.
Sir Mike Jackson’s bravery and principled stand during a tense moment in history will be remembered as a testament to diplomacy and leadership in the face of adversity.
