CLOAK AND CABINET

Belarus is often described as Europe's last dictatorship. Led by Aleksandr Lukashenko since 1994, the country has become one of Vladimir Putin's closest allies. As Russia's war against Ukraine continues, Belarus has repeatedly found itself at the centre of speculation over whether it could become directly involved in the conflict. In recent weeks, Ukraine has warned that it may strike military infrastructure inside Belarus if Minsk does not remove what it sees as a growing threat. In this blog post, we'll explore who Aleksandr Lukashenko is, how he rose to power, and whether Belarus is actually likely to enter the war in Ukraine. WHO IS ALEKSANDR LUKASHENKO? Aleksandr Lukashenko was born on 30 August 1954 in Kopys, a small village in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, the name of Belarus when it was part of the Soviet Union. He was raised by his mother in a single-parent household on a farm. Life was modest, as they lived in a small rural village. Lukashenko ne...

Located between Poland, Lithuania, and the Baltic Sea, the Kaliningrad Oblast stands as an interesting enclave with a rich history and complex geopolitical significance. Formerly known as Königsberg, this region has evolved from a medieval hub of culture and learning to a military stronghold during the World Wars, and now, a challenging Russian exclave with implications for international relations.  In this blog post, we delve into the historical narrative, current realities, military presence, population figures, relationships with neighboring countries, and the significance of the Suwalki Corridor that shape the identity of the Kaliningrad Oblast. Kaliningrad's World Ocean Museum A STEP IN HISTORY The origins of Kaliningrad are rooted in its historical identity as Königsberg, a vibrant metropolis that played a pivotal role during the Enlightenment era, leaving indelible contributions to German philosophy, science, and art. Immanuel Kant, a luminary philosopher, found solace withi...