https://www.rferl.org/z/658 RFE/RL's latest news, features, commentary, and multimedia content on Belarus https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org/z/658 en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 15:02:40 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL An unfinished stadium in Bishkek played host to an Olympic-scale opening of the sixth World Nomad Games as world leaders -- barring one notable exception -- networked in the stands. https://www.rferl.org/a/world-nomad-games-politics-fireworks-opening-ceremone/33844714.html https://www.rferl.org/a/world-nomad-games-politics-fireworks-opening-ceremone/33844714.html Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:05:55 +0200 Photo GalleriesNewsArmeniaBelarusIranKazakhstanKyrgyzstanRussiaUkraineUzbekistanPhoto GalleriesThe Rundown Stories The Shanghai Cooperation Organization turns 25 at a moment of extraordinary tension embroiling several of the regional security group’s most prominent members. For China, Russia, Iran, and others, it may be less about substance than a show of influence and independence in the face of the West. https://www.rferl.org/a/shanghai-security-rifts-show-russia-china-iran-west/33844272.html https://www.rferl.org/a/shanghai-security-rifts-show-russia-china-iran-west/33844272.html Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:12:44 +0200 FeaturesBelarusIranKazakhstanKyrgyzstanRussiaTajikistanUzbekistanPakistanChina In EurasiaThe Rundown StoriesChina Officials in Belarus are pushing for a law requiring citizens to supply the state with DNA samples, but RFE/RL’s Belarus Service has learned that authorities in the tightly controlled country have already been quietly compiling a DNA database of people viewed with suspicion by the state. https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-dna-law-mandatory-saliva-dissident/33842635.html https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-dna-law-mandatory-saliva-dissident/33842635.html Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:54:57 +0200 BelarusFeaturesThe Rundown Headline Images of an Afghan delegation in tribal clothing visiting a food manufacturer in central Belarus sparked an outcry online, then photos of the visit disappeared from Belarusian websites. https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-cheese-factory-belarus-women-photos-vanished/33837222.html https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-cheese-factory-belarus-women-photos-vanished/33837222.html Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:33:53 +0200 BelarusFeaturesThe Rundown Stories A visit to a weapons manufacturing plant by Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko on August 18 highlighted an assault rifle Minsk is claiming was made entirely inside Belarus. https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-assault-rifle-iran-vsk-100b/33834995.html https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-assault-rifle-iran-vsk-100b/33834995.html Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:58:49 +0200 BelarusFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Amid a spate of tunnels being dug from Belarus into the EU, border authorities say Minsk is dismissing intelligence alerting it to migrant tunnel construction. https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-migrant-tunnels-eu-poland-lithauania-latvia-hybrid-war/33830304.html https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-migrant-tunnels-eu-poland-lithauania-latvia-hybrid-war/33830304.html Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:20:14 +0200 BelarusFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Opposition Belarusian politician Alyaksandr Milinkevich, who ran for president in 2006, has died following an illness aged 79, according to a social media post by his stepson. https://www.rferl.org/a/alyaksandr-milinkevich-belarus-opposition-leader-dies-79-/33826702.html https://www.rferl.org/a/alyaksandr-milinkevich-belarus-opposition-leader-dies-79-/33826702.html Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:34:30 +0200 NewsBelarusThe Rundown Stories