Belarus
COMMENT: Can Lukashenko capitalise on thaw in relations with the US?
When Donald Trump picked up the phone en route to his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, his brief call with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko marked an unprecedented diplomatic moment.
Belarus and Iran pledge enhanced ties in high-level talks
Belarusian and Iranian leaders have pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation and accelerate the implementation of agreements between the two heavily sanctioned countries.
Belarus’ veteran babushka protestor Nina Bahinskaya named an “extremist” by Belarusian authorities
Belarus’ authoritarian regime has named the iconic 78-year old protestor legend, Nina Bahinskaya, an extremist and added her to the to the Interior Ministry’s official list.
COMMENT: Belarus potato crisis
Belarus economic mismanagement and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko growing proclivity for Soviet-era fixes has caused a potato crisis that is emblematic of Belarus’ deepening economic problems.
Russia counters Trumps nuclear submarines, abandons self-imposed limits on short- and medium-range missiles
Russia has declared it will no longer observe self-imposed restrictions on deploying medium- and short-range missiles, ending a moratorium introduced after the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with the United States.
COMMENT: Can BRICS deliver beyond the rhetoric? experts weigh in
BRICS has evolved from an emerging economies club into a coalition Trump sees as threatening enough to warrant tariffs. Experts reveal tensions between China's dominance and multipolar goals, with institutional gaps but growing Global South support.
Belarus drone breach prompts diplomatic protest from Lithuania
a Russian-made Gerbera drone entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus and crashed about one kilometer inside Lithuania, close to the closed Šumskas border checkpoint.
A stray drone and the shadow of war: How fear and mistrust are pushing Nato and Belarus to the brink
In today’s Europe, even a foam-and-plywood drone can trigger fighter jets, send heads of state scurrying for shelter and deepen fears of war.
Belarus pushes for BRICS membership amid geopolitical bargaining and Western scrutiny
Belarus is walking a diplomatic tightrope, trying to strengthen ties with emerging powers like the BRICS while quietly seeking to ease Western sanctions.
BRICS leaders gather in Rio to challenge Western dominance
Leaders from the BRICS group have convened in Rio de Janeiro for their 17th annual summit, casting the expanded bloc as a counterweight to Western institutions whilst grappling with internal divisions over key geopolitical flashpoints.
Putin congratulates Belarusian President Lukashenko on Independence Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on Belarus’s Independence Day on July 3, highlighting their long-standing cultural ties and emphasising their common fight against the Nazis in WWII.
Poland eyes border checks with Lithuania amid migrant pressure, but Vilnius left in the dark
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on June 30 that his government is considering reintroducing border controls with Lithuania in response to increased concerns about irregular migration.
Emerging Europe growth resilient despite global risks, wiiw says
Economies across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are set to maintain solid growth in 2025 and 2026 but face downside risks from Middle East tensions, the war in Ukraine and US trade policy.
Putin heads to Belarus for EEU summit amid divisions within bloc
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Belarus on June 26-27 to attend events commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Belarus bargains for relevance, and Washington plays along
In a surprising turn of diplomacy, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, met with Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on June 21,and 14 political prisoners were subsequently set free from Belarussian prison.
The Belarusian opposition leaders Sergey and Svetlana Tikhanovsky vow to continue the fight to release more political prisoners
Belarusian opposition figures Sergey Tikhanovsky, and his wife, presidential contender Svetlana Tikhanovskaya vowed to continue their fight against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and seek the release of more political prisoners.
Belarus opposition leader Tikhanovsky freed after US-brokered pardon
Belarusian opposition figure Sergey Tikhanovsky was freed on June 21 after a pardon mediated by US envoy Keith Kellogg.
Belarus sliding back into Soviet economy habits
Russia been transformed into a war economy, but it is still run on market lines. Belarus is going in the opposite direction, one that is increasingly mirrors Soviet-style economic management.
Belarus inflation exceeds official targets as May rate hits 7.1%
Consumer prices in Belarus rose 0.7% in May, pushing annual inflation to 7.1%, according to data published by the National Statistical Committee, Belstat, on June 10. The latest figures show inflation outpacing government targets and accelerating fro
Israeli embassies worldwide suspend operations
Israeli diplomatic missions globally have suspended operations amid the ongoing Israeli military operation against Iran which has killed nearly 80 people.