This week's recap of whimsical events is part one of two and looks at border conflicts. Though mostly a darker topic, sometimes the absurd and whimsical takes center stage and it is only the dignity of the protagonists that suffers.
99 red balloons - Although the internal conflict currently unfolding in Belarus is no laughing matter, a recent border "skirmish" at the Lithuanian border provided a brief moment of levity. The belligerents involved a Mi-24 gunship on the Belarusian side fighting off a squadron of 8 red-and-white balloons launched from Lithuanian territory. Despite the balloons holding the numerical advantage, the helicopter prevailed and the Belarusian defence ministry in an official note thanked the victorious crew who intercepted them "without recourse to weapons" (BBC). Given this stinging defeat, the Lithuanian side will likely have to escalate and field their confetti cannons next time.
Treasure island - The disputed territory in this long-standing border conflict is named Hans. Hans is a barren uninhabited island measuring 1.3 km2 and is locating in a channel separating Ellesmere Island from northern Greenland. Unfortunately, the channel at this point is only 35 kilometres wide, placing the island within the territorial waters of both Canada and Greenland. Though a disputed island since 1973, the conflict really kicked into gear when in 1984, the Danish Minister for Greenland planted the Danish flag on the Island and left a little message saying "welcome to the Danish island" (of course in Danish). In a feat of remarkable sportsmanship, he also left a bottle of Danish Schnapps behind. The proper Canadian answer of course was to briefly invade, hoist the Maple Leaf flag and leave a bottle of Canadian Club together with a sign saying "Welcome to Canada". Since then, both militaries have repeatedly landed on the island to claim their prize and leave a bottle behind. The final solution to this conflict may lie in the partition of the island which would increase the number of land neighbours for both countries by 100% (from 1 to 2) (Link)
Hans island, 80.8269° N, 66.4597° W
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