Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

In 2013 Belarus Digest published over 250 articles. We selected top ten most viewed articles  published this year.

1. Getting A Belarusian Visa: Easier But More Expensive

Since 22 August 2013 all foreigners can get Belarusian visas through the Minsk National Airport just after ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Belarusian analysts focus on the role and strategy of the Belarusian opposition, the balance of powers before the parliamentary elections, sources of legitimacy of Alexander Lukashenka and Schengen visas for Belarusians.

Lukashenka and his Opponents Preserved in a Crystal ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Former Belarusian colonel Vladimir Borodach published his manifesto on 1 June in which he promised to overthrow the government in 3-5 years. The idea looks unrealistic both for his opponents and potential supporters, but received much publicity in the Belarusian press because ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Belarusians are the most travel-restricted nation in Europe. Both their own government and the European Union seem to be determined not to let them out.

The Belarusian authorities prevent leading opposition activists, students and state bureaucrats from travelling to the ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Although formally a member of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), unfortunately Belarus does not participate in any of its programmes. It is excluded from visa liberalisation, the EaP flagship initiatives, and bilateral track programmes: for example, the Small and Medium-Size ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

The Belarusian expert community vigorously debated three topics last week: the EU-Belarus diplomatic conflict, the deepening dependence of Belarus upon Russia and capital punishment.

EU-Belarus Conflict

A Letter to a European Friend - Siarhey Dubavets uses physics terminology  ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Diplomatic scandal with the European Union, political prisoners and economic sanctions remain in the focus of attention of Belarusian analysts. Other topics include the effect of Putin's election as president in Russia, the state of the legal profession in Belarus, and a review ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Belarusian authorities create problems for opposition activists who are crossing Belarusian borders. Isolation of the country is increasing. Following the departure of EU ambassadors, the IMF decided not to have any resident representative in Belarus and the country's ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

The recent pull-out of EU ambassadors from Minsk signals the deeply troubled relations between Belarus and the West. The amended and updated Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011 that was signed by US President Barack Obama in January outlines the official policy and ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

On January 23 Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronis Ažubalis stated that the EU should be more open towards ordinary Belarusians and increase pressure on the Belarusian regime. A year ago EU Commissioner Štefan Füle announced a “balanced approach” to overcome the harsh ( Read more... )