EDITOR’S PICKS

Bizarre Belarus “coup plot” has all the hallmarks of a classic Kremlin drama

BelarusAlert May 10, 2022

Belarus has good reason for concern over Putin’s nuclear intimidation

By Steven Pifer

Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has warned that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could go nuclear. If Vladmir Putin deploys nuclear weapons there is reason to believe that Belarus itself would soon be in the firing line.
Belarus Conflict
Bizarre Belarus “coup plot” has all the hallmarks of a classic Kremlin drama

BelarusAlert May 31, 2022

From White Russia to Belarus: Norway snubs Kremlin with name change

By Peter Dickinson

Norway has announced that it will now use the name “Belarus” instead of “Hviterussland” (literally “White Russia”) in a move reflecting growing awareness that Belarus should not be viewed through a Russian lens.
Belarus Democratic Transitions
Bizarre Belarus “coup plot” has all the hallmarks of a classic Kremlin drama

BelarusAlert May 17, 2022

Putin’s only friend: Belarus is Russia’s last remaining post-Soviet ally

By Brian Whitmore

The recent CSTO summit in Moscow highlighted Russia’s lack of support even within the former Soviet region while underlining Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s status as Vladimir Putin’s last remaining ally.
Belarus Central Asia

LATEST ANALYSIS

BelarusAlert

Sep 18, 2020

Sanctions against Belarus must also target Russia

By Anders Åslund

The US and EU are preparing to impose sanctions on Belarus over the Lukashenka regime’s violent crackdown on protests. To be effective, sanctions should also target Lukashenka’s Russian allies.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Sep 17, 2020

Belarus national awakening offers hope for Ukraine as Soviet collapse continues

By Solomiia Bobrovska

Belarus has emerged from its post-Soviet slumber and has set out on the road to democracy. This is good news for the Belarusians themselves. It is also a welcome development for Ukraine but less so for Russia.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Sep 16, 2020

Putin risks turning Belarus from natural ally to enemy

By Hanna Liubakova

Vladimir Putin has successfully intervened in neighboring Belarus over the past month to prop up fellow post-Soviet dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka, but the cost may be rising anti-Russian sentiment.

Belarus Crisis Management

BelarusAlert

Sep 15, 2020

The EU’s “grave concern” will not help Belarus

By Franak Viačorka

The Belarus crisis has exposed the EU’s foreign policy limitations, but a tougher European Union response could still succeed in bringing Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka to the negotiating table.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Sep 10, 2020

Putin’s new constitution spells out modern Russia’s imperial ambitions

By Pavlo Klimkin, Volodymyr Ivanov and Andreas Umland

The constitutional amendments adopted by Russia in summer 2020 have far-reaching implications for the Russian population, but the potential repercussions are also causing considerable unease in Ukraine and other post-Soviet countries.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Sep 8, 2020

Will Belarus follow Ukraine out of the Russian orbit?

By Taras Kuzio

By intervening in Belarus to prop up his fellow post-Soviet dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Vladimir Putin risks repeating the mistakes made in Ukraine and fueling anti-Russian sentiment among Belarusians.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Sep 7, 2020

Putin poised to buy Belarus

By Anders Åslund

Belarus’ dictator has turned to Russia to help overcome unprecedented protests against his 26-year reign—but the price of Kremlin backing may be the loss of control over the Belarusian economy.

Belarus Economy & Business

BelarusAlert

Sep 2, 2020

Bipartisan US Congress appeal calls for “greater leadership” in support of democracy in Belarus

By Peter Dickinson

As the crisis in Belarus continues to unfold, a bipartisan group of US Congress members has addressed a letter to Secretary Pompeo urging the Trump Administration to take a stronger stand.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Sep 2, 2020

Putin’s Belarus intervention could be good for business

By Vladislav Inozemtsev

Russia’s escalating intervention in Belarus is driven by the Kremlin’s geopolitical concerns over the spread of democracy, but economic factors are also encouraging Moscow to prop up the Lukashenka regime.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Sep 1, 2020

Belarus uprising faces Kremlin-backed crackdown

By Peter Dickinson

Belarusian pro-democracy protests are now in their fourth week but Russian support for beleaguered dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has revitalized his regime. How will the crisis evolve in the coming weeks?

Belarus Democratic Transitions
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spotlight

Belarus

Belarus’ August 2020 presidential election saw widespread protests and serious fraud allegations as President Lukashenka claimed victory against popular opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Will Belarus begin its transition to democracy, or will Belarusians face further repression as Lukashenka’s rule falters?

Bizarre Belarus “coup plot” has all the hallmarks of a classic Kremlin drama

UkraineAlert Aug 13, 2024

Belarus’s political prisoners must not be forgotten

New sanctions unveiled in August have highlighted the plight of Belarus’s approximately 1,400 political prisoners, but much more must be done to increase pressure on the Lukashenka regime, writes Hanna Liubakova.

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Bizarre Belarus “coup plot” has all the hallmarks of a classic Kremlin drama

UkraineAlert Jul 25, 2024

The West should articulate the possibility of a European future for Belarus now

By Richard Cashman

Failure to articulate the possibility of a European future for Belarus leaves the Euro-Atlantic community at risk of being caught off guard without a plan when Belarus reaches its fork in the road, writes Richard Cashman.
Belarus Conflict
Bizarre Belarus “coup plot” has all the hallmarks of a classic Kremlin drama

UkraineAlert Jul 16, 2024

I was sentenced to ten years in absentia for highlighting Belarus’s descent into dictatorship

By Alesia Rudnik

My recent ten-year sentence in absentia is a sure sign that Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is increasingly insecure and dependent on the Kremlin, writes Alesia Rudnik.
Belarus Civil Society

The views expressed in BelarusAlert are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Atlantic Council, its staff, or its supporters.

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BelarusAlert

Apr 21, 2021

Bizarre Belarus “coup plot” has all the hallmarks of a classic Kremlin drama

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka's recent claim that he was the target of a US-backed coup may be more than just the latest in a series of conspiratorial rants by the increasingly beleaguered dictator.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Apr 14, 2021

Belarus is the new front in Putin’s war against Ukraine

By Brian Whitmore

Fears are growing that the rapidly expanding Russian military presence in Belarus will help transform the country into a new front in the Kremlin's war against Ukraine.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Apr 7, 2021

The battle for Belarus: Russified regime faces Westernizing society

By Brian Whitmore

As the Russification of the Belarusian state unfolds, a very different dynamic is developing in Belarusian civil society: ordinary Belarusians are distancing themselves from Russia and embracing the West.

Belarus Civil Society

BelarusAlert

Mar 31, 2021

Soft annexation: Inside the Russian takeover of Belarus

By Brian Whitmore

Russia is slowly but steadily achieving the "soft annexation" of Belarus via a series of political, economic, and military measures that will assure the Kremlin of dominance over its small western neighbor.

Belarus Politics & Diplomacy

BelarusAlert

Mar 24, 2021

Moscow’s man in Minsk

By Brian Whitmore

As Belarus braced for a fresh round of anti-regime protests, the Kremlin has been busy laying the groundwork to tighten its grip on Russia's far smaller but strategically important western neighbor.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Mar 17, 2021

How do you sanction a problem like Lukashenka?

By Brian Whitmore

The West is looking to increase sanctions against Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka but must also tread carefully to avoid creating opportunities for Russia to expand its geopolitical influence.

Belarus Economic Sanctions

BelarusAlert

Mar 16, 2021

Belarus human rights crisis: Concerns grow for political prisoners

By Vladislav Davidzon

Human rights concerns are mounting over the plight of hundreds of Belarusians currently being held on politically motivated charges by the regime of dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Mar 15, 2021

Fears mount as jailed Belarusian blogger resumes hunger strike

By Hanna Liubakova

Jailed Belarusian blogger Ihar Losik began a new hunger strike on March 11. He is one of hundreds of Belarusians that the Lukashenka regime is accused of holding on politically motivated charges.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Mar 10, 2021

Putin’s stealth takeover of Belarus gains momentum

By Brian Whitmore

As the Belarus crisis enters its seventh month, the strategy of Vladimir Putin's regime is coming into clearer focus: leverage the unrest to secure Moscow's long-term dominance over the country.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Mar 10, 2021

Belarus opposition leader calls on West to get tough

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is calling on Western governments to adopt a far tougher stance towards dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka in order to bring his 26-year reign to an end.

Belarus Democratic Transitions
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