Belarus

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.

Difficult neighbors: How the Belarus crisis has strained ties between Minsk and Kyiv

By Vladislav Davidzon

The democratic awakening that has taken place in Belarus since August 2020 has fractured and realigned the economic, military, diplomatic, and security relationship between Minsk and Kyiv.

Spring showdown looms in Belarus

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus faces a hot spring season in 2021. Pro-democracy protesters are seeking the end of a 26-year dictatorship. The geopolitical implications mean Russia and the West will also be very much engaged.

Questions remain after Putin hosts Lukashenka

By Brian Whitmore

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed his Belarusian counterpart Alyaksandr Lukashenka to Sochi this week but it remains unclear exactly what was agreed during their summit meeting.

US and EU must hold Russia accountable for enabling brutal Belarus crackdown

By Polina Sadovskaya

Belarus presents an opportunity for the US to partner with the EU in order to ensure that pressure is maintained not just on Alyaksandr Lukashenka, but on his enabler Vladimir Putin as well.

Belarus dictator Lukashenka seeks to silence the media

By Vladislav Davidzon

A Minsk court sentenced journalists Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova to two years in prison on February 18 in a case that highlights the war against free speech that is accompanying Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s crackdown on the country's six-month pro-democracy uprising.

Soviet-style Belarus dictator goes back to the future

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka's recent People's Assembly was a Soviet-style affair designed to help him reclaim leadership of the country following six months of nationwide pro-democracy protests.

Innovative opposition defies Belarus dictator Lukashenka

By Brian Whitmore

The adaptive tactics of the Belarusian street, combined with the emergence of dissident security service veterans, illustrate that the Lukashenka regime and its Kremlin allies have lost the initiative.

Exploring Belarusian civil society

By Andrew D’Anieri

For more than six months, Belarus has been rocked by an unprecedented wave of pro-democracy protests. This brief guide aims to introduce some the NGOs active in Belarus as the country seeks historic change.

European leadership: Transatlantic relations and the future of Belarus

The Atlantic Council Northern Europe Office organized a webinar on the topic of ”European Leadership: Transatlantic relations and the Future of Belarus”.