Belarus Analytical Digest
The Belarus Analytical Digest is an internet publication jointly produced (six issues per year) by the external page Research Centre for East European Studies at the University of Bremen, the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich, and the external page Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES) at the University of Zurich. The Belarus Analytical Digest analyzes the political, economic, and social situation in Belarus within the context of international and security dimensions of this country’s development. All contributions to the Belarus Analytical Digest undergo a fast-track peer review.
Editorial Board: and (both Research Centre for East European Studies at the University of Bremen)
Coordination Layout and Publication: (Research Centre for East European Studies at the University of Bremen)
The series is partnered with the German language publication external page Belarus-Analysen.
All Issues
All Belarus Analytical Digest IssuesCurrent Issues
No. 008: Belarusian Democratic Opposition
The issue explores the recent geopolitical reorientation of the Belarusian democratic opposition. Since the 2020 protests and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the opposition has increasingly framed its struggle against Lukashenka’s regime as a fight for national sovereignty and emancipation from Russian dominance. Ekaterina Pierson-Lyzhina and Radzhana Buyantueva argue that operating in exile, the opposition has turned to the EU as the prime political partner and symbolic point of reference. At the same time, reliance on European support creates new dependencies and dilemmas surrounding identity, sovereignty, and political representation.
No. 007: Belarusian Elites after Lukashenka
The issue presents an analysis by Ryhor Astapenia, which examines succession prospects for Belarusian elites after Lukashenka. The Belarusian regime remains personalist, yet a stable and relatively competent ruling elite has emerged. This group is likely capable of preserving the system’s control after Lukashenka’s eventual departure. State power is currently divided among five circles: the “family,” administrative vertical, economic technocrats, security bloc, and business. While the exact form of a future transition is uncertain, gradual political liberalization is likely, with the security bloc defending the status quo. Excluding extreme scenarios, power will probably pass to the existing elite.