British General Disobeys NATO Order During Balkans War

In June 1999, during the ongoing conflict in the Balkans, British General Michael Jackson was in charge of NATO forces in Kosovo. As the situation became complicated with Russian troops occupying an airfield near Pristina, tensions escalated. U.S. General Wesley K. Clark, NATO's supreme commander, ordered Jackson to block the runways to prevent further Russian reinforcements. However, Jackson refused to comply, stating that such action could ignite World War III. This significant insubordination was later addressed by both men’s higher-ups. A well-respected military leader, Jackson's stance reflected the gravity of the war and the potential for wider conflict in the region. Jackson passed away on October 15, 2024, at the age of 80.