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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

Inflection Points

May 29, 2022

Davos Dispatch: Why I’m going ‘long’ on optimism despite global anxiety

By Frederick Kempe

There would be costs to us all if we don't leverage this moment for a common cause.

China Conflict

In the News

May 27, 2022

Preble on Net Assessment: Debating Sweden and Finland’s entry into NATO

By Atlantic Council

On May 27, Christopher Preble and co-hosts considered Finland and Sweden’s applications to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on the Net Assessment podcast. Is a larger NATO necessarily a more effective alliance? And what are the practical implications of defending these two countries from an apparently revanchist Russia? What does this mean for the […]

Americas Defense Policy
A camouflaged Russian tank outside the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, Ukraine, March 16, 2022. (Source: Reuters/Energoatom)

New Atlanticist

May 27, 2022

Russian War Report: Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels claim Ukraine is building a “dirty bomb”

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels misrepresented comments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to claim Ukraine was producing a “dirty bomb.”

Disinformation NATO

UkraineAlert

May 27, 2022

South Ukraine holds the key to Putin’s dreams of a new Russian Empire

By Taras Kuzio

The biggest European battles since WWII are currently raging in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region but the ultimate outcome of the Russo-Ukrainian War is likely to be decided hundreds of miles to the south.

Civil Society Conflict

UkraineAlert

May 27, 2022

Ukraine’s sports stars aim to provide nation with a wartime morale boost

By Mark Temnycky

Ukraine's national football team will take on Scotland in a 2022 World Cup playoff match on June 1 in Glasgow as they seek to provide their compatriots back home with a much-needed wartime morale boost.

Conflict Resilience & Society

In the News

May 26, 2022

Ashford on SpectatorTV: What has Taiwan learnt from Ukraine?

By Atlantic Council

On May 26, Emma Ashford was interviewed on SpectatorTV about Ukraine and Taiwan. Ashford drew distinctions between Russia’s war in Ukraine and a potential attack on Taiwan by the Chinese government. “There are these parallels, but the parallels are mostly at this sort of large, strategic, geopolitical sense. There are also some major differences that I think […]

China Conflict

In the News

May 26, 2022

Fontenrose in DefenseOne: What Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Means for the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Russia

New Atlanticist

May 26, 2022

Three possible futures for a frozen conflict in Ukraine

By Mathew Burrows, Robert A. Manning

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, our experts lay out several scenarios that could reshape the world.

European Union Russia

New Atlanticist

May 26, 2022

Don’t ignore the exchange rate: How a strong ruble can shield Russia

By Charles Lichfield

Western governments should remember: Relying on the medium- to long-term effects of sanctions gives Russia plenty of time to prepare.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
James Taiclet at the FD Forum

Event Recap

May 26, 2022

Lockheed Martin CEO James D. Taiclet on 21st century security and the Russia-Ukraine war

By Caroline Steel

At the inaugural Forward Defense Forum, Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet breaks down 21st century security, the war in Ukraine, and new frontiers for defense innovation.

China Conflict

Experts