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

Nov 29, 2020

Russia loses patience with Belarus dictator Lukashenka

By Vladislav Davidzon

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s recent visit to Minsk created the strong impression that the Kremlin is fast losing patience with Belarus dictator Lukashenka and seeks a managed transition.

Belarus Crisis Management

BelarusAlert

Nov 16, 2020

Belarus dictator Lukashenka pins hopes on terror tactics

By Vladislav Davidzon

The pro-democracy uprising in Belarus passed the one hundred day mark in mid-November with protests refusing to cease despite a fresh escalation in state violence and record numbers of daily detentions.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Nov 9, 2020

Biden victory offers hope for Belarus democratic uprising

By Vladislav Davidzon

As the world prepares for a Joe Biden presidency, there are expectations in Belarus that the coming change in US leadership will mean greater American support for the country’s pro-democracy uprising.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Nov 4, 2020

Belarus’s nation-building journey is just beginning

By Vladislav Davidzon

The pro-democracy uprising in Belarus against the rule of dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been called a national awakening, but huge challenges lie ahead as the country’s transformation continues.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Oct 30, 2020

Belarus uprising enters dangerous new phase

By Doug Klain

Events in Belarus continued to escalate this week as pro-democracy protesters attempted to initiate a nationwide general strike and the Lukashenka regime responded with a heavy-handed crackdown.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Oct 8, 2020

Putin’s fear of democracy is fueling the crisis in Belarus

By Peter Dickinson

The leaders of pro-democracy protests in Belarus have repeatedly denied any anti-Russian agenda but this has failed to prevent Moscow from offering its full backing to beleaguered dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Oct 6, 2020

The West finally imposes sanctions on Belarus

By Anders Åslund

After weeks of delays, the US and EU have finally imposed sanctions on the Lukashenka regime in response to the flawed August 2020 Belarus presidential election and crackdown on protests.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Oct 4, 2020

Belarus protest crackdown sparks IT industry exodus

By Peter Dickinson

The Lukashenka regime’s hard line response to unprecedented pro-democracy protests in Belarus is sparking an alarming exodus within the country’s vibrant and economically important IT industry.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Sep 26, 2020

Lukashenka’s rapid decline is giving Putin nightmares

By Peter Dickinson

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s worsening predicament is setting off alarm bells in the Kremlin, where events in neighboring Belarus are viewed as a possible blueprint for future unrest inside Russia itself.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Sep 22, 2020

How post-election protests are creating a new Belarus

By Franak Viačorka

After almost three decades in the post-Soviet doldrums, historic change is finally underway in Belarus. Lukashenka and Putin can still delay this process, but they can no longer derail it entirely.

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?

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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