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

UkraineAlert

May 4, 2021

US should grant Ukraine Major Non-NATO Ally status

By Oleksiy Goncharenko

As the Western world formulates its response to Russia's recent saber-rattling on the Ukrainian border, one option would be for the United States to grant Ukraine the status of Major Non-NATO Ally.

Conflict Russia

In the News

May 4, 2021

Mulder and Piliero in National Interest on spaceflight

By Atlantic Council

On May 4, Forward Defense Senior Military Fellow Christopher Mulder and Young Global Professional Raphael Piliero wrote an op-ed for National Interest on the importance of US efforts in space as they relate to the Moon race. They argued that the 60th anniversary of the first American in space provides historical context—and necessity—for our future space endeavors.

China Russia

Report

May 3, 2021

The impact of Western sanctions on Russia and how they can be made even more effective

By Anders Åslund, Maria Snegovaya

While Western sanctions have not succeeded in forcing the Kremlin to fully reverse its actions and end aggression in Ukraine, the economic impact of financial sanctions on Russia has been greater than previously understood.

Economic Sanctions European Union

In the News

Apr 30, 2021

Myles-Primakoff and Sherman in Foreign Policy: Russia Can’t Afford to Block Twitter—Yet

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

UkraineAlert

Apr 29, 2021

Energy sanctions can prevent a new Russian offensive in Ukraine

By Ariel Cohen and David Pasmanik

Expanding US sanctions policy to target Russia’s energy industry remains one of the most powerful remaining tools available to the democratic world as it seeks to deter further Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

IranSource

Apr 28, 2021

Russia secretly feared the Iran nuclear deal. Here’s why.

By Mark N. Katz

Even if the US and Iran do find common ground over the JCPOA, Moscow no longer needs to fear that it will lead to a broader US-Iran detente as there are too many other issues that Washington and Tehran disagree over.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Apr 28, 2021

Haring & Wilson in The Washington Post: Why are the Russians pranking Washington think tanks?

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Cybersecurity

BelarusAlert

Apr 28, 2021

Lukashenka’s succession gambit: Kremlin capitulation or power play?

By Brian Whitmore

Alyaksandr Lukashenka either just made a bold and brazen power play vis-a-vis Russia or he began laying the groundwork for Moscow's ultimate takeover of Belarus. Whatever the truth is, the stakes are enormous.

Belarus Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Apr 27, 2021

Putin’s imperialism turns neighbors into enemies

By Peter Dickinson

Putin has instructed Kremlin officials to draw up a list of “unfriendly countries.” Although the identity of these countries is unconfirmed, media reports suggest the list will be dominated by Russia’s neighbors.

Conflict Eastern Europe

In the News

Apr 27, 2021

Haring and Magid in the National Interest: How to solve the humanitarian crisis in Donbas

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Human Rights

Experts