WITH Covid-19 continuing to cast its ruinous regime around the world, major and worrying events are escaping proper scrutiny.
Belarus, where Mr Lukashenko achieved an unlikely 80 per cent of the recent vote, confirming his sixth Presidency, is a case in point.
Critically situated between the Baltic NATO allies and Russia, the buffer state is monitored carefully by both sides.
Putin has promised support and already, as in the 2014 annexation of Crimea, Russian soldiers in unmarked uniforms are reported filtering into the country, while NATO forces ‘exercise’ on the border.
In the Middle East, Lebanon teeters on the verge of a new civil war, after confirmation that Hezbollah – currently part of the ruling coalition - was responsible for both the explosion which decimated Beirut and the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Confirming the region as a flashpoint, Turkey menaces Greek shipping in the Mediterranean, Iran threatens Gulf oil supplies and Yemen starves through civil war.
Further afield, the US is threatened with political instability, while an emboldened China spends almost 10 per cent of its GDP on defence, intimidates Hong Kong and lays claim to the South China Sea.
The days of gunboat diplomacy are long gone, nor would they be appropriate today, but I believe there is much we as a country can do.
We remain a beacon for the rule of law and democracy and have a proud history for standing up for freedom.
As a sovereign nation once again, we will have the flexibility and independence to influence events for the better.
Of course, we will be working with partners, but we should not underestimate the role the UK must continue to play on the world stage.
Our military, diplomatic and economic strengths are three good reasons for optimism.