In Belarus, Soviet-style totalitarianism never did go out of style, despite the end of the Cold War and collapse of Communism.

A prime example?

The KGB is alive and well here. Even after the collapse of the USSR, the local branch in Belarus didn’t bother to change its name.

“Why would they?” [democracy activist Vitali] Locmanau asked. “It’s a very strong brand name.”

Who knew secret police were so attached to branding principles? Next thing you know, the Belarussians will sue Green Bay Packer DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila for unauthorized use of their initials as a nickname.

This might be revealing vis-a-via our own spooks, and why they’re so resistant to yielding turf to Homeland Security: They feel those three little letters are valuable marketing territory.