Obstacles to the Polish-led Western Efforts in Belarus

Poland is hosting a conference Feb. 2 to increase financial support for Belarusian opposition groups, independent media and civil society. The conference will not have any grand or immediate effects on the Belarusian opposition. Indeed, the Polish-led Western efforts to forge links with Belarus are unlikely to make the sort of long-term impact on Belarusian politics that Poland would like to see.