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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

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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

Feb 27, 2025

The Finlandization fallacy: Ukrainian neutrality will not stop Putin’s Russia

By Brian Mefford

Donald Trump seeks to broker a peace deal with Vladimir Putin but any attempt to impose neutrality on Ukraine could set the stage for further Russian aggression, writes Brian Mefford.

Conflict European Union

In the News

Feb 27, 2025

Michta in 19FortyFive and RealClearWorld on Washington’s evolving relationship with Europe 

On February 21, Andrew Michta, senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, published an article in 19FortyFive on the so-called “transatlantic drift” as President Trump changes how the United States “traditionally engages with [European] allies.” This piece was featured in RealClearWorld.  

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Feb 26, 2025

Kroenig interviewed on BBC World Service on the emerging Trump 2.0 foreign policy doctrine  

On February 23, Matthew Kroenig, vice president and senior director of the Scowcroft Center, was interviewed on BBC World Service on the emerging Trump 2.0 foreign policy doctrine. He shares his analysis of President Trump’s negotiation tactics for the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, including the president’s idea for a “two-track NATO” and his plan […]

Middle East NATO

In the News

Feb 26, 2025

Kroenig interviewed on BBC World Service on President Trump’s rhetoric and actions on Ukraine

On February 24, Matthew Kroenig, vice president and senior director of the Scowcroft Center, was interviewed on BBC World Service on the Trump administration’s approach to ending the war in Ukraine. He notes that President Trump’s actions are consistent with his presidential campaign rhetoric, as well as his actions during his first term. He asks […]

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2025

Why the US should not lift sanctions against Russia

By Charles Lichfield

Sanctions are having an unmistakable effect, albeit below the inflated expectations of many in the West in early 2022. Lifting them now would be a mistake.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

UkraineAlert

Feb 25, 2025

US sides with Russia against Ukraine and Europe at the United Nations

By Shelby Magid

A diplomatic clash at the UN has illustrated the dramatic divide that has emerged between the United States and Europe since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump just over one month ago, writes Shelby Magid.

Conflict Freedom and Prosperity

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Eftimiades quoted in a The Bureau article entitled, “Inside The Massive PRC Intelligence Machine Working On US Soil”

By Atlantic Council

On February 17, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades was quoted in a The Bureau article entitled, “Inside The Massive PRC Intelligence Machine Working On US Soil,” where he briefed security experts on his upcoming book. The article notes the importance of Eftimiades’ new book, drawing “insights from nearly 900 cases, including Linda Sun, […]

China Intelligence

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Eftimiades interviewed by NTD on Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

By Atlantic Council

On February 17, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades was interviewed on NTD Evening News on the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. In the interview, Eftimiades spoke to Gabbard’s national security priorities and understanding of strategic threats to the United States today.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Horodyskyy in European Pravda: Protection from Orbán: how Trump “suspended” the future of Russian assets and what the EU plans to do

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Katz in Travels and Observations: Putin avoided a Syrian quagmire, but not in the way he wanted to

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Political Reform

Experts