Serbia’s Military Parade Masks Authoritarian Ambitions Amid Regional Tensions

In the heart of Belgrade, Serbia recently staged what officials hailed as its largest military parade ever—a spectacle of tanks, missile systems, and fighter jets meant to project strength to the world. But beneath the roar of aircraft and the march of 10,000 troops lies a more troubling narrative: an increasingly authoritarian regime using militaristic displays to silence dissent and fortify power. Is Serbia’s Show of Force Truly About National Defense? President Aleksandar Vucic proudly proclaimed the event a demonstration of Serbia's sovereign defense capabilities amid a neighborhood surrounded by NATO members. Yet the parade prominently featured weapons sourced not...