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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.

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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

Feb 15, 2022

Russian Hybrid Threats Report: Military camps close in on border as Kremlin accelerates false-flag narratives

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

While the Kremlin announced that some units have begun loading equipment onto trains to return to their bases, the DFRLab continues to observe other units positioning themselves closer to Ukraine's northeast border with Russia.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Feb 14, 2022

Russia may dodge sanctions by using Putin proxies to invade Ukraine

By Pavlo Kukhta, Viktoria Podhorna, Mykyta Poturaev, Yehor Chernev

With Russia facing the possibility of crushing sanctions over the threatened invasion of Ukraine, Putin may prefer to deploy hybrid forces made up of regular Russian troops and mercenaries posing as Ukrainian separatists.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Feb 14, 2022

Sales joins Fox Business to discuss ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

Op-Ed

Feb 14, 2022

Haring in The National Interest: The West is falling for Putin’s real play in Ukraine

Western governments should carefully calculate the second-order effects of information they publicly release with an eye to preventing panic.

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 14, 2022

Klain interviewed in The Age/Sydney Morning Herald on what’s behind Putin’s war on Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

“Putin is doing things that will preserve his power, extend his rule, make his rule more secure, and will enrich himself and the oligarchs that help him to maintain his power.” Doug Klain More about our expert

English Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 14, 2022

Zais in The Hill: American unity is key to a Europe whole and free

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Feb 13, 2022

O’Toole quoted in the Washington Post on the US sanctions against Russia

Read the full article here.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 12, 2022

Klain on Asharq News: The West doesn’t want war with Russia, but Ukrainians will defend themselves

By Atlantic Council

More about our expert

Arabic Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Feb 11, 2022

Free trade and drones: Turkey and Ukraine strengthen strategic ties

By Christopher Isajiw

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Kyiv in early February for a visit that underlined the deepening strategic partnership between the two Black Sea nations.

Conflict Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2022

Russia’s joint exercise with Belarus reveals what a Ukraine invasion would look like

By Tyson Wetzel

Although Union Courage '22 has only just begun, it is clear that Russia is focusing on air superiority, close air support, long-range fires, intelligence collection, and combat sustainment.

Belarus Conflict

Experts