EDITOR’S PICKS

LATEST ANALYSIS

BelarusAlert

Apr 20, 2022

Ukraine reveals Russian military plans for “full-scale invasion of Belarus”

By Brian Whitmore

With Belarusians uneasy over their country’s role in Putin’s Ukraine War, Moscow may revive earlier plans for the military takeover of Belarus if growing anti-war sentiment threatens to undermine Russian influence.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Apr 13, 2022

Putin’s Ukraine War: Belarus dictator switches from arsonist to firefighter

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is trying to change his role in Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War from that of arsonist to firefighter as Belarusian public opinion firmly opposes any involvement in the conflict.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Apr 6, 2022

Belarusian railway rebellion disrupts Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War

By Brian Whitmore

Railway workers in Belarus are staging a quiet rebellion against the country’s supporting role in Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War and are creating headaches for Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Mar 30, 2022

Hundreds of Belarusians join Ukraine’s fight against Russian imperialism

By Brian Whitmore

Hundreds of Belarusians have volunteered to fight for Ukraine in the war against Putin’s Russia as anti-imperial forces across the former USSR seek to shake off authoritarian Kremlin influence.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Mar 29, 2022

Deep unease in Belarus over country’s role in Russian invasion of Ukraine

By Alesia Rudnik

Vladimir Putin is pushing Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka to join the invasion of Ukraine, but the war is deeply unpopular among Belarusians who fear direct participation will have catastrophic consequences.

Belarus Civil Society

BelarusAlert

Mar 29, 2022

Belarus dictator under pressure to join Vladimir Putin’s failing Ukraine War

By Hanna Liubakova

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is coming under increasing pressure to join Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War but there is no guarantee that unenthusiastic Belarusian troops will follow orders to invade.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Mar 22, 2022

Belarusians are sabotaging plans to join Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War

By Brian Whitmore

As Vladimir Putin pressures Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka to join Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ordinary Belarusians are taking action to sabotage the war effort and prevent Russian troops from reaching Ukraine.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Mar 16, 2022

Ukrainian military successes force Belarus to rethink role in Putin’s war

By Brian Whitmore

The fierce Ukrainian resistance to Russia’s invasion is getting inside the heads of Belarusian military leaders and causing them to question the wisdom of joining Vladimir Putin’s war.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Mar 9, 2022

Belarusian military reluctant to join Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus was widely expected to join the Russian invasion of Ukraine but indications are growing that the Belarusian military is strongly opposed to any involvement in Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Mar 2, 2022

Putin’s Ukraine War fuels protest mood in Russia and Belarus

By Brian Whitmore

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has sparked the biggest European conflict since WWII and is now fueling a growing anti-war protest mood in both Russia and Belarus.

Belarus Civil Society

spotlight

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.

The Eurasia Center’s mission is to enhance transatlantic cooperation in promoting stability, democratic values and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe and Turkey in the West to the Caucasus, Russia and Central Asia in the East.

Follow us on social media
and support our work

frequent contributors

Content

BelarusAlert

Aug 21, 2020

History beckons but Belarus protests need leadership

By Franak Viačorka

Unprecedented pro-democracy protests in Belarus currently threaten to unseat 26-year dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka, but the protest movement needs leadership to bring about political change.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Aug 20, 2020

Lukashenka is wrong to use Ukraine as a cautionary tale

By Paul Niland

Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has warned that pro-democracy protests will turn Belarus into another Ukraine - but Ukaine's woes are due to Russian aggression not the country's 2014 revolution.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Aug 18, 2020

Belarus urgently needs European mediation

By Anders Åslund

Unprecedented pro-democracy protests have swept Belarus since a deeply flawed August 9 election. With dictator Lukashenka stripped of all legitimacy, only international mediation can help resolve the crisis.

Belarus Crisis Management

BelarusAlert

Aug 17, 2020

Alarm bells in Ukraine as Lukashenka calls on Putin to rescue his crumbling regime

By Bohdan Nahaylo

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is on the verge of being swept out of office by a wave of pro-democracy protests. He has called on Putin to save his regime, sparking alarm in neighboring Ukraine.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Aug 17, 2020

How the West should respond to Belarus

By Daniel Fried, Brian O’Toole

Belarus is experiencing a democratic awakening that could end 26 years of dictatorship and transform the regional geopolitical landscape. With Russia looming large over the crisis, how should the West respond?

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Aug 16, 2020

Why Vladimir Putin is unlikely to invade Belarus

By Anders Åslund

Belarus is experiencing an historic democratic awakening that looks set to oust Kremlin-friendly dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka - but Putin is highly unlikely to repeat his 2014 invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Aug 13, 2020

Europe must not abandon the new Belarus to Putin

By Oleksiy Goncharenko

Protests in Belarus over a rigged election have grabbed the world's attention this week. However, this geopolitically important democratic awakening has little chance of success without Western support.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Aug 10, 2020

Lukashenka vs. democracy: Where is Belarus heading?

By Peter Dickinson

Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is facing the biggest crisis of his 26-year reign as protests erupt over attempts to falsify the country's August 9 presidential election. Can he cling on to power?

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Aug 9, 2020

Europe’s last dictator: The rise and (possible) fall of Alyaksandr Lukashenka

By Anders Åslund

Alexander Lukashenko has ruled Belarus for 26 years and earned the dubious title of "Europe's last dictator" but his country has experienced a pro-democracy awakening during this year's presidential election campaign.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Aug 5, 2020

From dictatorship to democracy: Can Belarus make history on Sunday?

By Nicolai Khalezin

Belarusians go to the polls on Sunday in a presidential vote that is being billed as the biggest challenge to President Lukashenko for 26 years. Will the international community back the country's democratic opposition?

Belarus Democratic Transitions