issue spotlight

Stay updated

COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

The Power Vertical

The Power Vertical is a blog and podcast for Russia wonks and Kremlin watchers by Brian Whitmore. It covers emerging and developing trends in Russian politics, shining a spotlight on the high-stakes power struggles, machinations, and clashing interests that shape Kremlin policy today.

Host and Eurasia Center Senior Fellow Brian Whitmore invites guest experts to deliver their insights and analysis in this weekly podcast. The Atlantic Council and the Charles T. McDowell Center for Global Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington co-sponsor this production.

The Russia Tomorrow series

recent events

The Eurasia Center’s mission is to enhance transatlantic cooperation in promoting stability, democratic values, and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe and Turkey in the West to the Caucasus, Russia, and Central Asia in the East.

Content

UkraineAlert

Nov 4, 2025

EU praises Ukraine’s progress but warns Zelenskyy over corruption

By Peter Dickinson

Ukraine’s bid to join the EU received a boost this week with the release of a report praising the country’s progress toward future membership, but EU officials also warned President Zelenskyy about the dangers of backsliding on anti-corruption reforms, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Corruption

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2025

Facing the threat of US strikes, Maduro has requested Russia’s help. He shouldn’t expect much.

By Imran Bayoumi, Shelby Magid

Focused on its war against Ukraine and struggling with the effects of Western sanctions, the Kremlin is unlikely to provide significant assistance to the Maduro regime.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

UkraineAlert

Oct 31, 2025

Europe finally moves to ban Russian gas but potential loopholes remain

By Aura Sabadus

The EU has recently moved to impose a full ban on Russian gas imports by 2028. After years of using energy exports to blackmail Europe and fund the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow is finally facing the loss of its last European costumers, writes Aura Sabadus.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

UkraineAlert

Oct 30, 2025

Russia’s advance on Pokrovsk exposes Ukraine’s growing manpower crisis

By Peter Dickinson

As Russian troops close in on the strategically crucial city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv’s growing manpower shortages are becoming increasingly apparent, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Oct 30, 2025

Belarusian balloons pose new threat in Putin’s hybrid war against Europe

By Hanna Liubakova

Lithuanian officials have accused neighboring Belarus of using balloons to violate EU airspace and disrupt air traffic as part of the Kremlin's ongoing hybrid war against Europe, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

In the News

Oct 30, 2025

Kroenig in Foreign Policy urges United States to not extend New START

On October 16, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig published an article in Foreign Policy titled, “It’s Time to Stop New START.” He argues that the Trump administration should not extend the nuclear arms control treaty with Russia and should instead expand its nuclear arsenal to deter China.

Arms Control China

In the News

Oct 29, 2025

Woolf defends arms control and New START in new commentary

By Atlantic Council

On October 21, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Amy Woolf published an article with the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) titled “Beyond New START: What Happens Next in Nuclear Arms Control?” She argues that the United States should continue to pursue arms control discussions with Russia and China to manage nuclear competition and reduce the […]

China Nuclear Deterrence

UkraineAlert

Oct 28, 2025

UN report: Russia targets civilians in systematic bid to depopulate Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

Russia is deliberately targeting Ukrainian civilians in a deadly drone strike campaign that aims to depopulate large parts of the country and constitutes a crime against humanity, according to a new United Nations report, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Inflection Points

Oct 27, 2025

Trump’s place in history depends on his approach to the CRINK

By Frederick Kempe

After a string of foreign policy wins, Trump's more significant challenge lies ahead: countering the bloc of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

China Iran

MENASource

Oct 24, 2025

‘Snapback’ sanctions are deepening the Iran-Russia alignment

By Giorgio Cafiero

United by a desire to counter US influence, Iran and Russia are poised to deepen their bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Economic Sanctions Iran

Experts