[BRIEF NOTE] Belarus

[rfmcdonald]

Events in Belarus after that country's recent election can perhaps best be summarized, by The Financial Times, as bad: "In Belarus, the liberal opposition failed to make any inroad on the ruthless machine of Alexander Lukashenko, the country's irascible and autocratic ruler. His massive security machine - employing an estimated one in 10 of the population - ensured that the entire electoral process was heavily skewed in his favour. Even if it had not, most observers reckon that the maverick dictator would have won." The resultant crackdown has seen a sweeping series of arrests in response to protests in the capital city of Minsk by members of the opposition. Here's hoping that the space they carve out today and in the days ahead will last and can be put to good use. In the meantime, check out Belarusian blog br23 for the latest news.