Across the former Soviet Union a new type of authoritarianism became the default — with commerce, parliaments, military, media and civil society used to consolidate elite economic and political power. read more

In the view of Nobel literature laureate Svetlana Alexievich, Russia is taking refuge in ideas from its Soviet past, but this nostalgia collides with newer, darker forces. read more

At an annual contest showcasing local workers, photographer Siarhiej Lieskiec found Soviet traditions celebrated with a modern twist. The Calvert Journal reports read more

The Belarusian parliament passed the first reading of the country’s new military doctrine, which prohibits its armed forces from participating in military operations abroad. read more

U.N. human rights experts are criticizing a reported execution of a murder suspect in Belarus, saying the move violates the country's international commitments. read more

The Belarusian central bank warned that the financial industry is under increasing strain from a buildup in overdue loans as company profits suffer during an economic contraction. read more

Olga Makarova, the wife of a Belarusian entrepreneur who suffered a blacklist on his business activities under EU sanctions, set up over 12 offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands and Seychelles at the height of the sanctions afflicting her husband’s companies. read more

Belarus hopes to sell $1 billion of bonds at yields under 7 percent, the country's deputy finance minister said on Thursday, and is just waiting for the right time. read more

When Chernobyl's nuclear reactor exploded in 1986, much of the radiation was blown north to Belarus. But despite being devastated by the fallout from the world's worst civil nuclear disaster, the country is now building its own nuclear power plant near the town of Ostrovets, writes Kieran Cooke. read more

Federal authorities in Pittsburgh say two men have been charged by authorities in Belarus with receiving $1.35 million stolen in a phishing scheme from the bank account of a Pennsylvania oil and gas drilling company. read more