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: Nelly Bekus (University of Exeter), Tatsiana Chulitskaya (Vilnius University), Iryna Herasimovich (University of Zurich), Jeronim Perović (University of Zurich), Jonathan Raspe (University of Zurich), Alesia Rudnik (Karlstad University)
Corresponding Editors: 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. 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.
No. 006: Belarus' Relations with Poland and China in the Context of the War in Ukraine
This issue examines Belarus’s shifting foreign relations under growing dependence on Russia. Kamil Kłysiński analyses the sharp deterioration of Polish–Belarusian ties since 2020, marked by mutual accusations of militarisation, border incidents, and the near-total alignment of Minsk’s foreign and security policy with Moscow. Pavlo Rad explores developments in Belarus–China relations after the Russian invasion of Ukraine: while diplomatic engagement remains visible, economic and military cooperation stagnates as Beijing cautiously monitors Belarus’s constrained autonomy and uncertain strategic direction.