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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

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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

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Mar 17, 2025

Hadley, Fried, and Kramer in Foreign Affairs on the importance of US strength to end the war in Ukraine

On March 7, Atlantic Council Executive Vice Chair Stephen Hadley, Board Director Franklin D. Kramer, and Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow Daniel Fried were published in Foreign Affairs on the imperative of the United States to achieve “peace through strength” to end the war in Ukraine. They argue that Europe should take the lead in bolstering […]

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

Fast Thinking

Mar 14, 2025

What game is Putin playing in the cease-fire talks?

By Atlantic Council

Our experts parse the Kremlin’s official reaction to the United States’ proposal for a cease-fire in Ukraine.

Conflict Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Mar 13, 2025

Ukraine’s innovative defense tech sector is the country’s trump card

By David Kirichenko

From the Black Sea to deep inside Russia, Ukraine's innovative and rapidly expanding defense tech sector is proving to be the country's secret weapon as it fights for survival against one of the world's strongest military superpowers, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Mar 13, 2025

Vladimir Putin does not want peace. He wants to subjugate Ukraine.

By Mykola Bielieskov

Russian President Vladimir Putin's evasive response to US President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal underlines his commitment to continue with an invasion that aims to extinguish Ukraine as a state and nation, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Mar 13, 2025

Soofer interviewed on War on the Rocks podcast about Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

By Atlantic Council

On March 12, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was interviewed by Ankit Panda, host of the “Thinking the Unthinkable” podcast on War on the Rocks. The episode discussed the Trump administration’s plan for an American “Iron Dome” and the questions it raises for US missile defense and the strategic vulnerability in the United States today.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 13, 2025

Global China Hub associate director Matt Geraci in Liga.net

By Matt Geraci

On February 28th, 2025, Global China Hub associate director Matt Geraci was quoted in a Liga.net article on China’s strategic interests in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

China Politics & Diplomacy

Strategic Insights Memo

Mar 12, 2025

The hypersonic imperative

By Michael E. White

Hypersonic weapons and counter-hypersonic defenses will be essential for the United States to deter and, if necessary, prevail in a war against one or more great powers. This is why the Department of Defense and Congress must prioritize the accelerated fielding of these capabilities.

China Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 12, 2025

Michta in 19FortyFive on how Russia may respond to the proposed ceasefire

On March 12, Dr. Andrew Michta, senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, published an article in 19FortyFive on how Russia may respond to the proposed ceasefire agreement supported by Ukraine and the United States. He argues that Putin’s choice to accept or reject the ceasefire will have a lasting influence on relations between Washington and […]

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

Balkans Debrief

Mar 12, 2025

What is the future of Russian immigration to Serbia? | A Debrief with Srdjan Cvijić and Maxim Samorukov

Russians have migrated to Serbia en masse particularly since the Ukraine war began in 2022. Ilva Tare speaks with Srdjan Cvijic and Maxim Samorukov about BCSP's latest findings on Russian immigration to Serbia.

Europe & Eurasia Migration

Experts