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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

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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

BelarusAlert

Dec 15, 2021

Belarus joins Vladimir Putin’s Russia behind Europe’s new Iron Curtain

By Brian Whitmore

Europe’s new Iron Curtain runs along the western frontiers of Russia and Belarus. Over the past year, Putin has successfully solidified Moscow's dominance over Belarus. The Kremlin leader now appears determined to subdue Ukraine by force.

Belarus Conflict

Issue Brief

Dec 15, 2021

Nuclear priorities for the Biden administration

By John Harvey and Robert Soofer

Former nuclear deterrence policymakers John Harvey and Robert Soofer, from Democratic and Republican administrations, respectively, propose a path for the Biden administration's nuclear strategy and policy.

China Defense Policy

Event Recap

Dec 14, 2021

Developing the EU’s industrial strategic capacity under rising geopolitical tensions

On December 14th, the EU Commission’s Representation in Sweden and the Atlantic Council’s Northern Europe Office held the event “Developing the EU’s industrial strategic capacity under growing geopolitical tensions.”  Speakers included:  Björn Fägersten, Swedish Institute of International Afairs (UI) Charlotte Andersdotter, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise Ulf Pehrsson, Ericsson Per Altenberg, Swedish National Board of Trade  […]

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Dec 14, 2021

Missile defense: The end of the interim solution

By Patrick O’Reilly

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow and former US Missile Defense Agency director Patrick O'Reilly argues that the time is now to invest in directed energy missile defense.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 12, 2021

Azodi joins BBC Persian to discuss the implication of Russia’s amassing of troops on the Ukrainian border

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Dec 11, 2021

Memo to the international media: Putin has already invaded Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

One depressing aspect of Russia's latest military build-up on the Ukrainian border has been the flurry of headlines posing the same question: will Putin invade Ukraine? In reality, Russia has already invaded Ukraine and the war is now in its eighth year.

Conflict Disinformation

Report

Dec 10, 2021

Event report: Transatlantic renewal in an era of strategic competition

By Ash Jain, Joel Kesselbrenner

As the world enters a new era of strategic competition, the United States, Canada, and Europe must work together to advance shared values and interests and foster a rules-based international order.

China European Union

In the News

Dec 10, 2021

Friedlander quoted in CNN Politics on the potential sanctioning of Russian energy producers and its consequences

By Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
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Assumptions Testing Series

Dec 9, 2021

Assumption #4: The United States should prioritize the promotion of democracy around the world over other key US objectives

By Mathew Burrows, Evan Cooper

Policymakers should take a triage approach with regard to democracy promotion, starting first and foremost with the state of democracy at home.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

In the News

Dec 8, 2021

Ashford in The New Republic: Russia “losing Ukraine to the West would be painful”

By Atlantic Council

On December 8, Ashford was quoted in the New Republic on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. “According to Emma Ashford, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, the Ukrainian government has also accelerated the trend of pulling the country away from Russia both linguistically and culturally. “Ukraine is the seat of the Russian civilization,” says Ashford, and […]

Eastern Europe English

Experts