issue spotlight

Stay updated

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

BelarusAlert

Jun 16, 2021

Tensions mount between Belarus dictator and Kremlin

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka's harsh crackdown on anti-regime protests has made him increasingly dependent on the Kremlin, but could Moscow be preparing to use him as a geopolitical pawn?

Belarus Moldova

In the News

Jun 16, 2021

Breitenbauch in MSN Denmark: Putin and Biden’s meeting makes future dialogue possible

By Henrik Breitenbauch

Henrik Breitenbauch was quoted in MSN Denmark on the impact of the Biden-Putin Summit on US-Russia relations.

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy

Blog Post

Jun 16, 2021

State of the Order: Assessing May 2021

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

Africa Belarus

In the News

Jun 16, 2021

Katz in the Hill: “Who benefits — buyer or seller — from gas pipelines and dependency relationships?”

By Atlantic Council

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

MENASource

Jun 15, 2021

What does the Arab Street think of China and Russia? The answers may surprise you.

By Li-Chen Sim and Lucille Greer

Are perceptions about China and Russia shared by MENA elites and the public? Building on previous posts that analyzed MENA’s interests in engaging these states, we answer these questions by examining polling data across MENA and within particular states.

China Middle East

Fast Thinking

Jun 15, 2021

FAST THINKING: A new era for NATO

By Atlantic Council

The band is back together: NATO allies gathered at a Monday summit in Brussels. How will the meeting shape NATO’s future, and what cracks did it reveal in the Alliance?

China Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Jun 15, 2021

Vershbow in NBC News: The Biden-Putin summit features high stakes, low expectations

By Alexander Vershbow

Ambassador Alexander Vershbow was quoted in NBC News on the Biden-Putin Summit and explained that the Russian president does not necessarily want the more stable or predictable relationship that the US seeks.

Arms Control Eastern Europe

UkraineAlert

Jun 15, 2021

Putin’s Ukraine War: Will Russia attempt a Black Sea blockade?

By Andriy Zagorodnyuk

The international community spent much of April 2021 nervously watching the Ukrainian border for signs of a new Kremlin offensive, but Russia's next escalation may come in the Black Sea.

Conflict Maritime Security

Fast Thinking

Jun 15, 2021

FAST THINKING: What to expect from the Biden-Putin summit

By Atlantic Council

On this episode of Fast Thinking, Atlantic Council experts Doug Klain and Melinda Haring discuss who has the most to gain from the summit and whether this meeting has any chance of stabilizing US-Russia relations.

Cybersecurity Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Jun 14, 2021

Geopolitical weapon: Putin’s pipeline nears completion

By Benjamin Schmitt

This week's summit meeting between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin may be one of the last opportunities for the US to take a stand against the Kremlin's controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Russia

Experts