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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

New Atlanticist

Jan 30, 2025

Trump’s out-of-the-box approach is perfect to help demilitarize Kaliningrad

By Agnia Grigas

Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine should also consider European security in the war’s aftermath—and this should include removing the threat that Russia’s control over Kaliningrad poses to the continent.

Europe & Eurasia Missile Defense

UkraineAlert

Jan 29, 2025

The West must study the success of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces

By Doug Livermore

The success of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces in the war against Russia can provide a range of valuable lessons for Kyiv's Western partners that will shape military doctrines for years to come, writes Doug Livermore.

Artificial Intelligence Conflict

UkraineAlert

Jan 29, 2025

Can increased energy sector sanctions pressure Putin into peace talks?

By Aura Sabadus

US President Donald Trump has warned Russia that he will impose economic measures including taxes, tariffs, and sanctions unless Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to end the war in Ukraine, writes Aura Sabadus.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Jan 29, 2025

Soofer’s report ‘First, we will defend the homeland’ featured in Newsweek article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

By Atlantic Council

On January 28, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was quoted in a Newsweek article titled “Donald Trump’s Iron Dome Over US: What We Know.” The article features his recent Atlantic Council report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense,” where he critiques existing defense systems and outlines the challenges […]

China Defense Policy

In the News

Jan 29, 2025

Soofer cited in New York Times article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’ Executive Order

By Atlantic Council

On January 28, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was cited in a New York Times article entitled, “Trump Orders an ‘Iron Dome’-Style Defense System. Experts Are Skeptical.” The article quotes Soofer’s recent report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense” on how the “current approach to homeland missile defense […]

China Defense Policy

EnergySource

Jan 29, 2025

Bigger than the Berlin Airlift: How NATO’s natural gas shut down a key Russian pipeline 

By Simon Lomax, Morgan Bazilian, and Greg Clough

NATO's formidable defense of Europe against Russian energy aggression has shut down one of the last natural gas connections between the EU and Russia. These efforts are reminiscent of the 1948 Berlin Airlift, and mark a moment in geopolitics, energy security, and climate progress that merits celebration.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Jan 28, 2025

Ukrainian drones and missiles target Putin’s war machine inside Russia

By David Kirichenko

Ukraine has begun 2025 with an ambitious air offensive utilizing the country's expanding arsenal of domestically produced drones and missiles to target Putin's war machine inside Russia, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Jan 25, 2025

Webster quoted by ABC on possible Trump-Putin phone call

By Joseph Webster

Energy & Environment Politics & Diplomacy

Announcements

Jan 24, 2025

Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense program launches Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force

WASHINGTON, JANUARY 24, 2025 — The Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense program has convened former government officials and industry leaders on a Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force to address the opportunities that hypersonic capabilities offer to the United States to enhance deterrence and the challenges posed by adversary hypersonic capabilities. 

China Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jan 23, 2025

Trump’s clear path to securing US oil and gas dominance

By Richard L. Morningstar, Landon Derentz

The United States should seize on this moment to ensure long-term US LNG exports to Europe permanently replace Russian natural gas flows.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Experts