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.