Carnegie Moscow Center
- Follow Carnegie
- Search
- Global Resources
Global Centers
Languages
If the West responds to the recent violent crackdown in Belarus by isolating the country's people and cutting off all dialogue with the authorities in Minsk, it misses the chance to empower more forward-looking elements in Belarusian society and within the ruling regime.
Following last month's presidential election and subsequent government crackdown on opposition activists, Belarus is at a strategic crossroads, but a swift response by Minsk could salvage the country's course toward reform and greater integration.
The presidential elections in Belarus were marred by serious irregularities in the voting process, which led to violence on the streets of Minsk. The key question at this point is why, despite moderate improvements over previous elections, things went wrong.
Alexander Lukashenko may have won a fourth term as president of Belarus, but he now faces both an opposition capable of mass mobilization and international partners in Europe and Russia that are growing tired of paying to maintain his status quo.
A Euro-Atlantic security community would be built on a transformed strategic relationship between the United States, NATO, and Russia, and reconciliation between Moscow and Central and Eastern Europe.
Since 2008, Russo-Polish relations have seen a positive transformation that has the potential to make this relationship one of the key pillars of stability and security in Europe.
The unsettled political situation in Moldova could hamper further negotiations over the country's accession to the EU, economic reform, and resolution of the enduring separatist conflict in Transdniester.
After nine months in power and a fresh victory in October’s local elections, the Yanukovich government’s record raises important questions about the future of Ukraine.
The ideal president and national leader for Belarus would be someone who appeals to the country’s national archetypes and can help form a national identity for Belarusians.
The use and misuse of history as a tool for political competition and control has become an increasingly visible phenomenon in public and political life in Russia and other post-Soviet countries over recent years.
Stay connected to the Global Think Tank with Carnegie's smartphone app for Android and iOS devices