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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

In the News

Apr 28, 2022

Ashford in NPR’s On Point: The risks and rationale of expanding NATO

By Atlantic Council

On April 28, Emma Ashford was featured in NPR’s On Point to discuss the question of Finnish and Swedish membership in NATO. “Extending NATO’s tripwire right up to Russia’s borders isn’t risk free. “’It makes a lot of sense for states that have fears about Russian aggression to want to come in, particularly under the […]

Conflict Eastern Europe

In the News

Apr 28, 2022

Friedlander interviewed by Bloomberg on President Biden’s proposal to seize and sell the assets of Russian oligarchs to help Ukraine 

Listen to the episode here.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

In the News

Apr 28, 2022

Badi quoted in The New Arab on Russia’s deployment of Libya-based Wagner Group mercenaries to Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Apr 28, 2022

Friedlander quoted in NPR on sanctions imposed on Russia as the ultimate test for the future use of the tool

Listen to the episode here.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Apr 27, 2022

Beyond Putin: Russian imperialism is the No. 1 threat to global security

By Volodymyr Vakhitov, Natalia Zaika

Many Western leaders accuse Vladimir Putin of single-handedly sparking the current war in Ukraine but in reality the roots of the conflict are far deeper and reflect longstanding Russian imperial attitudes toward Ukraine.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: The race to resupply Ukraine

By Atlantic Council military fellows

Victory in the Donbas will go to whichever side seizes the advantage in offensive fires and resupply efforts, according to our military fellows.

Conflict NATO

BelarusAlert

Apr 27, 2022

Putin’s Ukraine War leaves Lukashenka with nothing but bad options

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has gone against Belarusian public opinion and involved his country directly in Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Whoever now wins the war, his position will likely be weakened.

Belarus Conflict

In the News

Apr 27, 2022

Ashford quoted in the Washington Post: Ukraine and the future of war

By Atlantic Council

On April 27, Emma Ashford was quoted in a Washington Post op-ed by Daniel Drezner on the implications of the war in Ukraine for future conflicts.  “I love realists…the claim that they have no heart when it comes to their analysis of international relations is poorly founded. It is rather that realists are painfully aware […]

Conflict Eastern Europe

In the News

Apr 27, 2022

Badi quoted in the Financial Times on Russia’s removal of Syrian and Wagner Group troops from Libya

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Industry
Plumes of smoke rise after a fire erupts at an oil depot in Bryansk, Russia April 25, 2022 in this still image obtained from social media video. Natalya Krutova via REUTERS

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2022

Russian War Report: Geolocating fires in Bryansk

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

On April 25, large fires were reported in Bryansk, Russia, just 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. DFRLab geolocated the fires to confirm an armed forces fuel depot was damaged.

Belarus Disinformation

Experts