New light is being shed on the Polish push for reform in Belarus. Despite stinging criticism from many Poles (especially on the right) Transitions Online, has recently released a paper detailing the failures of the EU and other western governments in effectively dealing with Lukashenka and the successes of Warsaw's soft power.
The paper, written by Vitali Silitski, points out that there are few external leverage points, if any, that other nations (excluding Russia) can grip. Rather than acknowledging this fact and developing a coherent policy towards this fiendishly self-sufficient and entrenched power, the EU has stumbled and stuttered, handing Lukashenka victory after victory. Poland has been criticized for its Policy towards Belarus, only because it is the only nation with an active and defined Policy, which is limited by the same factors limiting Western States, plus a few others. But as far as measurable, pro-democracy/ development in the east, Poland is head and shoulders above any other nation, despite the risk of alienation and limited resources. the building of a civil society in Belarus has been undertaken almost exclusively by Poland and the tradition and energy created by Solidarity are still driving forces in the region.
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