Maxim Edwards is a British journalist and editor and former Eurasia editor at Global Voices (2019-2020). He specialises in migration, nationalism, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Latest posts by Maxim Edwards
In Belarus, Lukashenka's rule endures 2020 — can it survive 2021?
Belarus faces a stalemate: protesters cannot take power by force, the authorities cannot disperse them by force. But in the long term, Alyaksandr Lukashenka's rule looks precarious.
‘How do you live here?’ A local podcaster takes on misconceptions about eastern Ukraine
In Slavyansk, one podcaster is attempting to refocus outsiders' perspectives of eastern Ukraine — for Nika Perepelitsa, it is not simply the site of tragedies, but also of diverse cultural possibilities.
How will the war in Nagorno-Karabakh change Azerbaijan?
After Azerbaijan's victory in Nagorno-Karabakh, strongman President Ilham Aliyev enjoys huge popular support. But the new presence of Russian peacekeepers is causing unease, say researchers Sergey Rumyantsev and Sevil Huseynova.
Belarusians mourn the death of young opposition supporter
The 31-year-old Roman Bondarenka was the fourth person killed since protests began over the results of August's presidential election. As they mourn, Belarusians fear that they could share his fate.
Moldovans elect their first female president
Maia Sandu has beaten incumbent Igor Dodon to become Moldova's first female president. She promises reform of the judicial system, rapprochement with the EU, and a crackdown on corruption.
Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh raises scrutiny of Israel's arms sales to Azerbaijan
Israeli-produced weaponry gave Azerbaijan a key advantage over Armenia in the latest war over Nagorno-Karabakh. But for some human rights activists in Israel, that's not a matter of pride.
Armenia plunges into crisis after deal ends fighting in Karabakh
Facing a military catastrophe in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian government has signed a peace deal with Azerbaijan. Protesters in Yerevan stormed government buildings, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
A new magazine tells chilling stories from Russia's remote regions
Over the year since it was founded, the award-winning Holod Media has captivated Russian audiences with its longform stories on inequality and injustice in regions poorly covered by federal media.
As war in Nagorno-Karabakh rages, so does a pandemic
COVID-19 looms on an unrecognised state at war, nearly severed from its only ally, as winter approaches.
What is Russia's endgame in Belarus?
Moscow has wearied of embattled President Alexander Lukashenka and is now concerned with protecting its interests in an eventual (and inevitable) transition of power, says Belarusian political scientist Yuri Tsarik.
Belarusian labour activists pressured as political crisis drags on
Growing labour unrest and strikes at key state-owned businesses have become a major challenge to embattled president Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The authorities have struck back with a pressure campaign against the workers involved.
Here's why this feminist philosopher has high hopes for Belarus’ protests
For the feminist and political philosopher Olga Shparaga, the protests in her country offer a chance to develop new solidarities and forge a feminist agenda for Belarus' future development
‘Concerned IT specialists’ launch database of detained Belarusian protesters
Since August 9, over 7,000 people have been detained in mass protests against the Belarusian government. A new database provides their names and locations — in a bid to get them home safely.
Belarus in turmoil: The view from neighbouring Lithuania
Lithuania has long played an outsized role in European engagement with Belarus. Its capital Vilnius teems with political exiles from Minsk — are today's protesters fated to join them?
How one Telegram channel became central to Belarus’ protests
A channel on the Telegram messeng er service run by four Belarusian journalists in Poland has become a crucial source of information on the political upheavals in their homeland
Belarusian workers support protesters with growing strikes
Workers across the country are striking in solidarity with Belarusians who have been detained and beaten during mass protests against President Alexander Lukashenka.
Belarus shuts down internet as thousands protest election results
As Alexander Lukashenka won a sixth consecutive term as president on August 10, Belarusians across the country faced difficulties getting online. Digital rights activists blame the authorities; the authorities blame foreigners.
Georgians approve of government's COVID-19 response but fear economic downturn, survey finds
A new survey reveals that Georgians approve of their leaders and institutions' response to COVID-19. Can the goodwill last until October's parliamentary elections?
Fruit picking in a pandemic: Europe's precarious migrant workers
Despite COVID-19, Eastern European seasonal labourers continued to toil on farms and in factories as before — sparking a fierce debate about the rights of migrants in wealthier EU states.
Russian journalist avoids jail term for ‘justifying terrorism’ – and fears a new assault on press freedoms
While her conviction remains in force, Svetlana Prokopyeva has avoided a prison sentence. The verdict was a silver lining in a new wave of arrests and criminal cases against journalists.
