EDITOR’S PICKS

Putin deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarusian border with Ukraine

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
Putin deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarusian border with Ukraine

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
Putin deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarusian border with Ukraine

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

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BelarusAlert

Sep 3, 2021

Broadening the pressure on the Lukashenka regime

By Daniel Fried

Recent news of fresh IMF financing for Belarus has sparked controversy at a time when the democratic world is seeking to impose sanctions on the country’s Kremlin-backed dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Belarus Economic Sanctions

BelarusAlert

Sep 1, 2021

Putin militarizes Belarus

By Brian Whitmore

Russian anti-aircraft missile crews arrived at a new base in Belarus last week as Vladimir Putin continues to transform his small western neighbor into an unofficial extension of Russia’s Western Military District.

Belarus Russia

BelarusAlert

Aug 25, 2021

Lukashenka goes all in with Putin

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues to escalate his confrontation with the West in an apparent bid to convince Russia’s Vladimir Putin that he remains a loyal and indispensable ally.

Belarus Politics & Diplomacy

BelarusAlert

Aug 18, 2021

Belarus dictator escalates EU border migrant crisis

By Brian Whitmore

The crisis on Belarus’s borders with the EU continues to escalate as Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka weaponizes illegal migrants as part of his hybrid war against Europe.

Belarus European Union

BelarusAlert

Aug 15, 2021

Struggle for a democratic Belarus enters second year

By Vladislav Davidzon

Twelve months since Belarusians first shocked the world with an unprecedented wave of protests against dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the nation’s biggest post-Soviet political crisis is still far from resolved.

Belarus Civil Society

BelarusAlert

Aug 11, 2021

Lukashenka “negotiates” his political future with Moscow

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka marked the first anniversary of a pro-democracy protest movement that threatens to topple his regime by attacking the West and pledging his complete loyalty to the Kremlin.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Aug 9, 2021

The new US sanctions on Belarus: Strong, but not enough

By Daniel Fried, Brian O’Toole

A reasonable set of targets, the sanctions are welcome news for the Belarusian opposition. But are they powerful enough to rattle President Lukashenka?

Belarus Eastern Europe

BelarusAlert

Aug 9, 2021

Dictator vs democracy: Belarus one year on

By Peter Dickinson

On the first anniversary of the pro-democracy protest movement in Belarus, the Atlantic Council invited a range of Belarusian and international experts to share their views on how the past year has changed the country.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Aug 7, 2021

Belarus dictator’s terror tactics backfire at Tokyo Olympics

By Katia Glod

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s terror tactics were thrust into the international spotlight at the Tokyo Olympics when one of his country’s athletes refused orders to fly home early and instead fled to Poland.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Aug 4, 2021

Belarus dissident death in Ukraine fuels fears over Lukashenka death squads

By Brian Whitmore

The suspicious death of exiled Belarus dissident Vital Shyshou in Kyiv this week is fueling speculation over dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s use of death squads to eliminate political opponents across Europe.

Belarus Non-Traditional Threats
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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?

Putin deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarusian border with Ukraine

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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Putin deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarusian border with Ukraine

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
Putin deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarusian border with Ukraine

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.

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.

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BelarusAlert

May 25, 2022

Putin deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarusian border with Ukraine

By Brian Whitmore

Alyaksandr Lukashenka warned the West this week that it was risking World War III by continuing to arm Ukraine, even as he allowed Russia to deploy nuclear-capable missiles on Belarusian territory near the Ukrainian border.

Arms Control Belarus

BelarusAlert

May 19, 2022

Belarus dictator targets anti-war saboteurs with death penalty

By Alesia Rudnik

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has introduced amendments to the country's capital punishment legislation that will make it possible to impose death sentences on anti-war saboteurs.

Belarus Civil Society

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

BelarusAlert

May 11, 2022

The Belarusian dictator’s dilemma

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka appears to recognize that Vladimir Putin's Ukraine War is going disastrously wrong and is desperate to distance himself but he remains completely dependent on the Kremlin.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

May 11, 2022

Belarusian volunteers see Ukraine war as stepping stone to a free Belarus

By Alesia Rudnik

The hundreds of Belarusians who are currently fighting for Ukraine believe that defeating Vladimir Putin's invasion is their best chance of liberating Belarus itself and bringing the Lukashenka dictatorship to an end.

Belarus Civil Society

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

BelarusAlert

May 8, 2022

Belarus dictator: Putin’s Ukraine invasion is not going according to plan

By Peter Dickinson

In a new Associated Press interview, Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has declared that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not going according to plan and should be brought to an end as soon as possible.

Belarus Civil Society

BelarusAlert

May 4, 2022

Putin’s Ukraine War: Desperate Belarus dictator strikes back

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is seeking to introduce the death penalty for anti-war activists who are sabotaging Russian troop movements in protest over Belarus's supporting role in Putin's Ukraine invasion.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Apr 27, 2022

Putin’s Ukraine War leaves Lukashenka with nothing but bad options

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has gone against Belarusian public opinion and involved his country directly in Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Whoever now wins the war, his position will likely be weakened.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Apr 25, 2022

Wily Belarus dictator sees Putin’s war as an opportunity to end his isolation

By Alesia Rudnik

Wily Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is seeking to leverage his reluctant supporting role in Vladimir Putin's Ukraine War in order to revive relations with the Western world and end his international isolation.

Belarus Conflict
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