Bound by Exclusion and Violence

This book traces Belarusian nationalists from the First World War to the Cold War, revealing their covert activities and alliances while positioning Belarus as a key hub of ideological and political conflict that shaped the twentieth century. Initially perceived as a peripheral region, Belarus has played a crucial role in shaping historical narratives. From the First World War to the Cold War, the activities of Belarusian nationalists were central to the country’s involvement in broader geopolitical struggles. Bound by Exclusion and Violence uses the lives of these nationalists as a lens to explore their motivations and collaborations with various states and intelligence agencies, focusing on political activism, armed resistance, and covert espionage operations. Drawing from archival research in seven countries that shed light on local, regional, and global dynamics, Aleksandra Pomiecko reveals Belarus’s active role in key ideological, military, and political conflicts. The book offers a fresh perspective on the country’s historical significance and its impact on major global events of the twentieth century. In today’s era of heightened geopolitical awareness, Bound by Exclusion and Violence highlights Belarus’s complex history and its continued relevance in contemporary discussions of political agency and international power dynamics.