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

Podcast

Jul 7, 2023

Mercenary bloodline: The war in Sudan

By Alia Brahimi

Host and Nonresident Senior Fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with Africa experts Cameron Hudson and Munzoul Assal about the mercenary pedigree of the Rapid Support Forces.

Africa Conflict

UkraineAlert

Jul 6, 2023

Wagner fallout: Time to begin preparing for a post-Putin Russia

By Oleksiy Goncharenko

As we assess the fallout from the Wagner revolt, it no longer makes sense to be afraid of a new Russian collapse. On the contrary, the time has come to begin preparing for the possibility of a post-Putin Russia, writes Oleksiy Goncharenko.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Jul 6, 2023

Wagner putsch is symptomatic of Russia’s ongoing imperial decline

By Richard Cashman, Lesia Ogryzko

The attempted putsch by Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his Wagner troops in late June is perhaps best understood as a symptom of Russia’s ongoing imperial decline, writes Richard Cashman and Lesia Ogryzko.

Civil Society Conflict

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2023

Ukraine needs NATO membership, not an ‘Israel model’

By Ian Brzezinski

Granting NATO membership to Ukraine is critical to ensuring it wins the war against Russia quickly and decisively.

Israel NATO
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government, via video link at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 4, 2023.

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2023

Four scenarios for Russia’s future after the Wagner Group mutiny

By Jeffrey Cimmino

What will be the long-term aftermath of Russia's Wagner mutiny? Here are four possible paths for Russia's future the West should consider.

Belarus Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jul 5, 2023

Here’s the ‘concrete’ path for Ukraine to join NATO

By Franklin D. Kramer, Hans Binnendijk, Christopher Skaluba

The upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius should establish a High Level Group to design a roadmap for Ukraine’s fast-track membership.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Jul 5, 2023

Zysk in The Barents Observer on Russian exercise in the Barents Sea

By Katarzyna Zysk

On July 5, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Katarzyna Zysk was interviewed in The Barents Observer discussing Russia’s strategic aviation exercise over the Barents Sea ahead of next week’s NATO Summit.

Europe & Eurasia Russia

In the News

Jul 4, 2023

“The Future of War”: Assistant director Kitsch Liao interviewed for The Economist

On July 4, 2023, Global China Hub Assistant Director Kitsch Liao spoke to The Economist about Chinese cyberwarfare and hybrid warfare against Taiwan, and what China’s current capabilities would mean in the event of a live conflict.

China Russia

In the News

Jul 2, 2023

Francis in the Kyiv Post: Vlad the Terrible

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

In the News

Jul 1, 2023

“Wagner Uprising Highlights China’s Risks With Russia” – Nonresident senior fellow John Culver and nonresident fellow Wen-ti Sung quoted in the New York Times

On July 1, 2023, Global China Hub Nonresident senior fellow John Culver was quoted in the New York Times on what a potentially souring relationship between China and Russia could mean. “Downsizing the number of troops along the border has allowed China to prepare for the greater potential for conflict over Taiwan or the South […]

China Russia

Experts