HOW TO BEAT A BLOCKADE

The Berlin Airlift of 1948-49 was a logistical miracle that ensured the survival of West Berlin in the early days of the Cold War. How can the lessons learned be applied to today's geopolitical landscape?

- ANDREW LONG

The Berlin Blockade was the first real crisis of the Cold War. Joseph Stalin closed off the road, rail and waterway access to the British, American and French sectors of occupied Berlin in a cynical plan to force his former allies out of the city. The only way in or out of West Berlin was via the three air corridors crossing over 100 miles (160km) of Soviet-occupied territory. In response, the British and American governments began an airlift that kept the Western sectors supplied with the basic necessities for life for almost a year, forcing Stalin into a humiliating climbdown.

How is this famous operation relevant today? Although the unique set of circumstances that created and sustained the four-power city of Berlin are unlikely to be repeated, there are several key learning points for today's global leaders.

Standing up to a dictatorial state actor was at the heart of the West's strategy back in 1948, and their stance against Stalin ensured the survival of the Western enclave but also ultimately led to the fall of the Soviet Union some four decades later. The parallels with Russia today should be obvious. One of the most important outputs from the crisis was the establishment of NATO and the collective security it guaranteed through to the end of the Cold War. The cracks in the Alliance seen in recent years, especially from the United States, its biggest member, are very concerning, especially with another authoritarian state actor throwing his weight around in Europe. A key lesson from the events of 1948-49 is that unity and a collective position of strength is the best way to stand up to a bully.