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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

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

EnergySource

Feb 24, 2025

US energy dominance is Putin’s worst nightmare as Russia enters its fourth year of war crimes

By Olga Khakova, Haley Nelson

Three years of Russia’s senseless aggression in Ukraine have caused monumental, unnecessary human suffering but also an irreversible impact on Russia’s energy sector. Sanctioning Russian LNG at the source is the most effective way to prevent future supply blackmail from Moscow.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Testimony

Feb 21, 2025

Kimberly Donovan testifies to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on the Axis of Autocracy

By Kimberly Donovan

On February 20, Economic Statecraft Initiative Director Kimberly Donovan testified to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission at a hearing titled, "An Axis of Autocracy? China's Relations with Russia, Iran, and North Korea."

China Economic Sanctions

Inflection Points

Feb 21, 2025

The week that shook Europe—and the historic test ahead

By Frederick Kempe

Trump has an opportunity to cement his place in history and preserve the hard-won gains of the post–World War II era. But any perceived or actual sellout to Russia’s despot would leave an indelible stain US global leadership.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Feb 20, 2025

Ukrainians are proudly democratic but resoundingly reject wartime elections

By Peter Dickinson

Ukraine's fight for democracy has been at the heart of the country's struggle against the past two decades of escalating Russian aggression, but Ukrainians overwhelmingly reject the idea of staging dangerous wartime elections before peace is secured, writes Peter Dickinson.

Civil Society Conflict

UkraineAlert

Feb 20, 2025

Trump and Putin seek economic reset but businesses may not rush back to Russia

By Edward Verona

As the Trump administration seeks to reset relations with Russia as part of a peace process to end the war in Ukraine, Moscow is pushing the idea of increased economic cooperation, writes Edward Verona.

Conflict Corruption

UkraineAlert

Feb 18, 2025

Transatlantic alliance enters most challenging period since Suez crisis

By Edward Verona

The conclusion that many observers are drawing from the 2025 Munich Security Conference is that the United States, at least during the Trump presidency, is no longer willing to guarantee European security, writes Edward Verona.

Conflict European Union

UkraineAlert

Feb 18, 2025

Georgia’s pro-Kremlin authorities intensify crackdown on opposition

By Mercedes Sapuppo

Georgia's pro-Kremlin authorities presented new legislation in February that critics say will increase pressure on the country’s civil society and independent media while also placing additional restrictions on protests, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Civil Society Conflict

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2025

Dispatch from Munich: Sorting signal from noise in the Trump team’s Ukraine moves

By John E. Herbst

Despite the Trump team’s twists and turns regarding the war in recent weeks, the contours of a plan that could produce a durable peace remain clear. 

Conflict Russia

Fast Thinking

Feb 16, 2025

What Munich means for Ukraine peace talks

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council experts who were on site at the Munich Security Conference break down the Trump team's approach to negotiations on the war in Ukraine and the European reaction.

Conflict Russia

In the News

Feb 14, 2025

Tannebaum interviewed by Bloomberg on Trump’s offer of talks to Putin

Watch the full interview here

Economy & Business Russia

Experts