iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

My latest for @lawfaremedia.org : Potash is rarely linked to geopolitics, but it has become a wedge issue between Washington and Vilnius. While Washington focuses on U.S. supply chains, frontline states facing Russian grey-zone ops & Belarus as Russian proxy see an existential threat. 1/2

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

If you’ve gotten value from @lawfaremedia.org, this is a good moment to give back: www.lawfaremedia.org/about/support

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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 16/12/2025

On Lawfare Daily, @katiebelarus.bsky.social sat down with Catarina Buchatskiy to discuss Ukraine’s maritime operations in the Black Sea, the use of drones, and the supply chains behind them. youtu.be/aT3k-bb4pBg

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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 29/10/2025

On Lawfare Daily, @katiebelarus.bsky.social sat down with @glandsbergis.bsky.social and Vytis Jurkonis to discuss Lithuania’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, shifts in security policy and public sentiment, and growing concerns about possible escalation into the Baltic region.

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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 23/10/2025

On Lawfare Daily, @katiebelarus.bsky.social spoke to @beverlyochieng.bsky.social about how external powers compete for influence in Africa, the shifting priorities of the second Trump administration, the rising influence of Turkey, the UAE, and the EU, and how African states are responding.

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Jeff @jammaj.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

On today’s #DogShirtTV, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org & @hollybfletcher.bsky.social welcome Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social to discuss the relationships between #Belarus, #Russia, and Trump's regime. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej7f...

youtube.com

Belarus Bullet Points with Katsiaryna Shmatsina

YouTube video by #DogShirtTV

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

My latest for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social on what might happen when Lukashenka steps down. Few possibilities: a successor from his family (not Kolya) or the nomenklatura (all loyal to Moscow). 1/2 . More here : www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...

atlanticcouncil.org

Lukashenka’s succession game: Promises, power, and the illusion of an exit

The Belarusian autocrat recently suggested that this might be his final term in office. Could it be true? And who might take his place?

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

As I followed the recent U.S. envoy visit to Belarus and the prisoner release deal, I started outlining a few thoughts — and it turned into a longread. Read my latest for @lawfaremedia.org : www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what...

lawfaremedia.org

What Washington Wants from Minsk

The Lukashenka regime wants sanctions relief for freeing political prisoners. But what’s in it for the Trump administration? 

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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 22/07/2025

"For the U.S., paying a visit to Belarus or softening sanctions is a low-cost move...The administration’s calculation here appears to hinge on whether the Kremlin’s satellite can offer anything useful for the stalled Russia-Ukraine peace talks," writes @katiebelarus.bsky.social.

lawfaremedia.org

What Washington Wants from Minsk

The Lukashenka regime wants sanctions relief for freeing political prisoners. But what’s in it for the Trump administration?

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

It was a pleasure talking to you, @bdtaylor-su.bsky.social. I didn’t get to take your classes during my time at @maxwellsu.bsky.social, but I’ve always followed your work.

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

In the latest @darthputinpod.bsky.social with @stephanie-baker.bsky.social, we talk about her new book Sanctioning Russia, the effects of sanctions, and why it is no longer possible to do quality journalism while based in Moscow. @darthputinkgb.bsky.social claims sanctions were part of his plan.

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

Honestly always surprised when I’m asked to write about Belarus for Western outlets. Like—what do you wanna know? Besides the obvious: Lukashenka trading political prisoners, being Putin’s proxy, threatening NATO’s eastern flank. What else?

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Darth Putin @darthputinkgb.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Your Prez remembered He has a patreon and made His first weekly newsletter. @katiebelarus.bsky.social helped me with the difficult words. www.patreon.com/posts/126212...

patreon.com

Notes from bunker. 8 April | In the Bunker with Darth

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

New episode @darthputinpod.bsky.social : this time with esteemed @glandsbergis.bsky.social , former minister of foreign affairs of Lithuania : youtu.be/yJ-Vf0myEM8?...

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Holly Berkley Fletcher @hollybfletcher.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Well I started a podcast because I felt left out and people don't have enough podcasts to listen to. The first ep is an interview with the brave, resilient, and endearing @katiebelarus.bsky.social a Belarusian journalist and dissident who had to flee her country. open.substack.com/pub/hollyber...

open.substack.com

Welcome to A Zebra Without Stripes The Podcast!

Listen now | Episode 1: Belarusian dissident Kacerina Schmacina

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Thank you, @hollybfletcher.bsky.social, for your kind words! The interview will be out soon—we discussed not just my work in Belarus as a political analyst but also broader experiences: life in an authoritarian country and the vulnerabilities that come with forced exile

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Darth Putin @darthputinkgb.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

We agree. youtu.be/uB89R8ALCP0

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Benjamin Wittes @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org · 12/02/2025

Come to #DogShirtTV to chat with @katiebelarus.bsky.social instead. She fled here. You can ask her if she regrets it.

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Congratulations to Dwayne Yancey, founding editor @cardinalnews.org, on his well-deserved award! I met Dwayne when he chose to write about my experience as a scholar in exile, facing political persecution. He handled the facts with care and crafted a well-rounded, accurate story.

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

In conversation with @coldwarhost.bsky.social , we examine the most pivotal moments of the Cold War & Budapest Memorandum. One of the key reasons Ukraine gave up its strategic nukes in the ’90s? The cost was simply too high to sustain. @darthputinpod.bsky.social youtu.be/b1oCoJxrOXo?fe…

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Darth Putin @darthputinkgb.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

New year listening in the bunker with Darth. We had @philipobaji.bsky.social to talk about what Wagner is doing in Africa. And he talks about being kidnapped by them. youtu.be/wyT7v3YLLuE

youtu.be

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Katsiaryna Shmatsina @katiebelarus.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

What a New Year’s surprise. Thank you, @cardinalnews.org , for highlighting my journey as a scholar in exile. A thoughtful way to close out 2024.

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Darth Putin @darthputinkgb.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

So @katiebelarus.bsky.social & Prez had a staff meet in the bunker & we've some news to announce... You can now be a member of "In the Bunker with Darth" & join live streams with Prez and get also bonus content. www.youtube.com/channel/UCux...

youtube.com

YouTube

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world.

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Benjamin Wittes @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org · 09/12/2024

Because she is a convicted insurrectionist in Belarus, which is to say a very courageous person—and emphatically not part of the problem: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/watc...

lawfaremedia.org

Watching My Trial for Seditious Conspiracy

To look at the charges against me, you’d think I was a Jan. 6 conspirator. I’m a think tank analyst.

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Darth Putin @darthputinkgb.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Listen to Russian colonialism 101 when @maksymeristavi.com was in the bunker. Like and subscribe. youtu.be/ffIx0vAshiE?...

youtu.be

Russian colonialism 101 with Maksym Eristavi

YouTube video by In the Bunker with Darth Putin KGB

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Darth Putin @darthputinkgb.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Prez welcomes all refugees from free speechistan. If you want also to see how Prez’s annexation of YouTube from imperialist forces proceeds, follow @darthputinpod.bsky.social. Katie is local governor. @katiebelarus.bsky.social

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