EDITOR’S PICKS

Putin’s partner in war crimes

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’s partner in war crimes

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’s partner in war crimes

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

Jan 27, 2021

Protest mood spreads from Belarus to Russia as calls grow for post-Soviet change

By Brian Whitmore

As Russians took to the streets across eleven time zones on January 23 to protest the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, many of them also had protests in neighboring Belarus on their minds.

Belarus Civil Society

BelarusAlert

Jan 20, 2021

Can stalling tactics save the wily Belarusian dictator?

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has sought to defuse protests against his regime by promising to step down following constitutional reform, but critics believe he is merely trying to buy time.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Jan 20, 2021

Belarus presents the West with an opportunity to be on the right side of history

By Brian Whitmore

In shunning dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka and embracing Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the opposition, the West is on the right side of history in Belarus. It must now make sure that it stays there.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Jan 13, 2021

Calls mount to strip Belarus dictator of right to host 2021 hockey world championship

By Doug Klain

Calls are mounting for Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka to be stripped of the right to co-host the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship over the brutal suppression of pro-democracy protests.

Belarus Elections

BelarusAlert

Jan 13, 2021

Vladimir Putin has nothing but bad options in Belarus

By Brian Whitmore

Vladimir Putin knows his support for dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is poisoning attitudes towards Russia in neighboring Belarus, but he cannot allow a democratic uprising to succeed so close to home.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Jan 7, 2021

Is Russia preparing to replace Belarus dictator Lukashenka?

By Vladislav Davidzon

As Moscow works to create an advantageous outcome in Minsk, are there plans to replace Lukashenka with a pro-Kremlin movement of Belarusians?

Belarus Political Reform

BelarusAlert

Dec 21, 2020

Terror tactics fail to stop the rise of a democratic Belarus

By Hanna Liubakova

By seeking to subjugate his own population, dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is unwittingly pushing the Belarusian people away from the Soviet past and towards a democratic European future.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Dec 19, 2020

US poised to boost support for democracy in Belarus

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarus looms large on the US foreign policy agenda for 2021. Senators can set the stage for the year ahead by passing the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Dec 18, 2020

How secure is Belarus dictator Lukashenka’s throne of bayonets?

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s political survival depends on the continued loyalty of his extensive security apparatus—but just how secure is this throne of bayonets?

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Dec 10, 2020

Russia in retreat as the Soviet collapse continues

By Peter Dickinson

Russia suffered a series of setbacks in its own neighborhood during 2020 that underlined the counterproductive nature of Moscow’s imperial approach to the post-Soviet world.

Belarus Central Asia
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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’s partner in war crimes

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’s partner in war crimes

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’s partner in war crimes

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

Jun 29, 2022

Putin’s partner in war crimes

By Brian Whitmore

Both Putin and Lukashenka, as well as the relevant officials and soldiers in their respective chains of command, should be charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Jun 27, 2022

Belarus caught up in Putin’s plotting on Ukrainian and Lithuanian fronts

By Alesia Rudnik

As Russian rhetoric toward Lithuania heats up, Belarusians once more find themselves caught up in the Kremlin’s aggressive foreign policy thanks to Belarus dictator Lukashenka's dependence on Moscow.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Jun 21, 2022

Axis of autocrats versus democratic Europe

By Brian Whitmore

Vladimir Putin will pay a rare visit to his last remaining ally Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Belarus next week as the two dictators face the reality of mounting international isolation over the criminal invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Jun 20, 2022

A democratic Belarus is vital for Ukrainian and European security

By Alesia Rudnik

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka's supporting role in Vladimir Putin's Ukraine War has underlined the security threat posed to Ukraine and Europe by the authoritarian regime in Minsk.

Belarus Civil Society

BelarusAlert

Jun 15, 2022

Renewed Belarus military buildup is a sign of Lukashenka’s desperation

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is saber-rattling on the Ukrainian border once again but it is unclear whether he is genuinely preparing to invade Ukraine or merely seeking to demonstrate his loyalty to Putin.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Jun 13, 2022

Belarus dictator targets trade unions amid fears over anti-war mood

By Hanna Liubakova

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has initiated steps to shut down the country's independent trade unions amid growing disquiet on the domestic front over the Belarusian role in Putin’s Ukraine War.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Jun 8, 2022

Belarus bluff? Putin’s only ally sparks fears of possible new Kyiv offensive

By Peter Dickinson

Intensifying military activity in southern Belarus is fueling speculation over a possible renewed Russian assault on Kyiv but the true objective may be to tie down Ukrainian troops and prevent redeployment to eastern Ukraine.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Jun 7, 2022

Lukashenka plays chief enabler as Putin threatens to expand Ukraine war

By Brian Whitmore

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has publicly sought to distance himself from the Russian invasion of Ukraine but the Belarusian dictator is now once again becoming deeply involved as Vladimir Putin threatens to escalate the war.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Jun 1, 2022

Putin’s Black Sea blackmail sets stage for Belarus “deal with the devil”

By Brian Whitmore

Western leaders are desperate to resolve a global food crisis sparked by Russia's Black Sea blockade of Ukrainian grain exports but sending shipments via Belarus would mean rewarding Putin's only ally Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Belarus Conflict

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
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