![Prominent Belarusian journalist found dead in his summer cottage](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/on-300x225.jpg)
![Belarus and Ukraine Enter the 20th Year of Independence](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ukraine-flag-150x150.jpg)
Belarus and Ukraine are celebrating the 19th year of their independence in 2010. Kiev decided to schedule the fireworks for August 24. On this day in 1991, spurred...
![The Idea of Belarus at the Crossroads of Philosophy and History](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Untitled-1-150x150.jpg)
In the world dominated by the “clash of civilizations” rhetoric and memories of bloody nationalist wars, nationalism is considered dangerous. However, the sentiment has become a...
![An American in Belarus](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/wit-rusland-us-valies-150x150.jpg)
I came to Minsk in order to brush up on my Russian before taking a language exam as part of my Master’s degree requirement at George Washington University. Now...
![sannikau_hardtalk-150x150.jpg](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/sannikau_hardtalk-150x150-150x120.jpg)
Andrej Sannikau, a potential candidate in 2011 Belarus presidential elections appeared on Hard Talk, the BBC World flagship current affairs interview programme. Stephen Sackur, BBC journalist who interviewed Mr Sannikau has made a few “hard” points, in particular to...
![Any hope for conscientious objectors in Belarus?](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/18-150x105.jpg)
Ivan Mikhailov, Dmitry Smyk and Yevhen Yakovenko – the three young men convicted since late 2009 of refusing compulsory military service on grounds of conscience – separately told Forum 18...
![russia1.jpg](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/russia1-180x120.jpg)
This week, after a bitter gas transit conflict with Belarusian government, Russian Gasprom declared that preliminary gas prices for Belarus next year should be about USD 250. Now it pays 185 dollars. Even some naïve oppositional analysts welcomed what...
![german_marsh1.gif](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/german_marsh1-150x120.gif)
It seems that pragmatism and realpolitik are winning at the moment over values-driven approaches in EU policy toward Belarus, while Lukashenka’s power game continues eroding the EU’s self-esteem.
![To Engage or Not to Engage: The Policy Dilemma of Dealing with Belarus](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/german_marsh.gif)
How to deal with Belarus, along with the question of whether to engage or seek to isolate the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka has been a bone of contention in policy...
![US Politicians Better Informed about Belarus than a Top EU Official](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/SmithChristopherH_1-150x150.jpg)
Thanks to Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey Belarus was at the center of discussions at the hearing held by US Congress Helsinki Committee earlier this week....
![Customs Union: Economically Sound, Politically Harmful?](https://belarusdigest.com/sites/default/files/images/CustomsUnionSm.jpg)
Russian business daily Vedomosti reported today that the Customs Union negotiated between Moscow, Minsk, and Astana may come into effect without Belarus. The paper quoted BNP Paribas official as saying that Kiev would...
![Insider’s view from Belarusian Gay Pride March](https://belarusdigest.com/sites/default/files/images/Minsk-150x150.jpg)
Sergey Yenin, a vice chairman of the LGBT Human Rights Group GayBelarus.By and co-organizer of the Slavic Pride in Minsk shares his first-hand experience. Gay Pride March took place in Minsk on May...
![Press Freedom Act: Government in Belarus imprisoned journalists](https://belarusdigest.com/sites/default/files/images/obama-tense1-150x150.jpg)
Belarus was mentioned in the text of the Daniel Pearl Press Freedom Act signed into law by President Barack Obama last Monday, May 17. According to the Voice of America *, the...
![Belarusian Higher Education System is Undergoing a Steep Decline?](https://belarusdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/belarusian-Students-150x150.jpg)
Belarus is the only European country which has not signed the Bologna Declaration on the European Space for Higher Education. It still relies on a largely unreformed Soviet model of higher education. The...
![Newsweek Names Andrej Sannikau Potential Russia-Backed Candidate to Replace Lukashenka](https://belarusdigest.com/sites/default/files/images/sannikau-150x150.jpg)
Newsweek has published a story where it names Andrej Sannikaŭ (Sannikov), former deputy foreign minister and head of the human rights initiative Charter'97, the potential candidate who could be backed by Russia...