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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

UkraineAlert

Dec 26, 2021

Top 10 Ukraine articles of 2021

By Peter Dickinson

The top ten ranking of 2021's most popular UkraineAlert articles is dominated by content exploring Russian President Vladimir Putin's deadly obsession with returning Ukraine to the Kremlin orbit.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Dec 22, 2021

Putin’s nuclear blackmail in Belarus

By Brian Whitmore

The prospect of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is very real, and arguably very likely. And the prospect of Russian nuclear weapons in Alyaksandr Lukashenka's Belarus also no longer seems far-fetched.

Arms Control Belarus

In the News

Dec 22, 2021

Kroenig in Strategic Studies Quarterly on emerging technology and nuclear stability

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center Deputy Director Matthew Kroenig writes on the impact of new technology on strategic stability.

Arms Control China

In the News

Dec 22, 2021

Katz quoted in Svoboda on US negotiations with Russia

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy International Norms

Report

Dec 22, 2021

Seizing the advantage: A vision for the next US national defense strategy

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Tyson Wetzel, Christian Trotti

In this latest installment of the Atlantic Council Strategy Papers series, Forward Defense’s Clementine Starling, Lt Col Tyson Wetzel, and Christian Trotti articulate their vision and recommendations for the next US National Defense Strategy, including clearer prioritization, investments and divestments, reposturing of US forces, a new warfighting concept, and a focus on transnational threats like hybrid warfare and climate change.

China Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2021

The NATO-Russia standoff could redefine the transatlantic relationship

By Andrew R. Marshall

The outcome of this dispute could rewrite the terms of security on the European continent for an entire generation.

Crisis Management Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Dec 21, 2021

Cooper in Breaking Defense on deterrence during Great Power Competition

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Scott Cooper writes on the importance of air power to deterrence in the context of great power competition with Russia and China.

China Conflict

UkraineAlert

Dec 21, 2021

A Russian invasion of Ukraine could be Vladimir Putin’s downfall

By Taras Kuzio

Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently threatening to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine but his plans do not appear to enjoy widespread support among the Russian public and could destabilize the regime.

Conflict Cybersecurity
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping look on during a signing ceremony.

Report

Dec 21, 2021

Axis of collusion: The fragile Putin-Xi partnership

By Harley Balzer

The close relationship between the leaders of Russia and China drives what many think is a developing Sino-Russian alliance, but tensions over deep issues remain. Just how close are these great powers?

Central Asia China

Fast Thinking

Dec 17, 2021

FAST THINKING: Russia calls for a Cold War-style Europe. Will NATO give in?

By Atlantic Council

As tensions tick up on the eastern front, our experts break it all down for you.

Conflict Crisis Management

Experts