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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

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Katz in the Kyiv Post: Will Donald Trump be another Neville Chamberlain?

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Mezran quoted in Formiche on Putin’s ambitions in Africa while dealing with Trump on Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Italian Middle East

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Kabawat quoted in New You Info on the future of Russian military bases in Syria

By Atlantic Council

Defense Industry Middle East

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Warrick joins Times Radio to discuss Putin’s objections to NATO peacekeepers on the ground

By Atlantic Council

NATO Russia

UkraineAlert

Feb 25, 2025

Will a new Russia reset prove more successful than earlier attempts?

By Leah Nodvin

The Trump administration is seeking to reset relations with Russia as part of a comprehensive shift in US foreign policy, but successive past Russia resets have ended in failure, writes Leah Nodvin.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

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

Experts