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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

UkraineAlert

Nov 23, 2021

How to Deter Russia Now

By Daniel Fried, John E. Herbst, Alexander Vershbow

With Russian troops once more massing on the Ukrainian border, the United States and Europe must make clear to the Kremlin that they stand with Ukraine and will impose serious costs in the event of an offensive.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

BelarusAlert

Nov 23, 2021

Lukashenka, Putin, and the art of geopolitical extortion

By Brian Whitmore

The Putin-Lukashenka axis of autocrats is engaging in repeated acts of geopolitical extortion. Rewarding this with phone calls, summits, and concessions will only encourage more dangerous behavior.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Nov 23, 2021

Vladimir Putin is testing the “weak” West in Ukraine and Poland

By Taras Kuzio

Russia's current military build-up on the Ukrainian border is part of Vladimir Putin's hybrid war against the democratic world and an attempt to exploit what many in the Kremlin perceive to be Western "weakness."

Belarus Conflict

New Atlanticist

Nov 23, 2021

What’s Russia doing in Ukraine? Its latest military drills provide critical clues.

By John R. Deni

Here's what the Zapad-2021 joint exercise between Russia and Belarus revealed about the Kremlin's strategic plans.

Defense Policy Eastern Europe

In the News

Nov 22, 2021

Deni in Defense News: If the Russian military crashes through a forest, will NATO hear a sound?

By John R. Deni

Deni writes in Defense News on the role that the NATO Response Force might have in responding to Russia's military buildup around Ukraine.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Nov 22, 2021

Bryza in The Financial Times: Letter: Russia’s Ukraine build-up looks like reprise of Georgia invasion

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Nov 21, 2021

Kroenig and Ashford debate Russia’s military buildup near Ukraine and discuss solutions to the Belarus-Poland border crisis

By Atlantic Council

On November 19, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford assessing the latest news in international affairs. In the column, they debate intentions behind Russia’s latest military buildup near Ukraine and discuss possible solutions to the Belarus-Poland border crisis, including short-term liberalization of […]

Crisis Management Eastern Europe

UkraineAlert

Nov 21, 2021

Vladimir Putin’s slow-motion annexation of east Ukraine continues

By Peter Dickinson

As international leaders and the world’s media speculate over Moscow’s latest military build-up on the Ukrainian border, Russian President Vladimir Putin is quietly proceeding with the slow-motion annexation of east Ukraine.

Conflict European Union

UkraineAlert

Nov 20, 2021

Defensive Putin accuses West of ignoring Russian red lines

By Anders Åslund

Russian President Vladimir Putin's November 18 foreign policy speech to Russian diplomats was one of the most defensive performances of his 21-year reign, argues Anders Åslund.

Conflict National Security

In the News

Nov 19, 2021

Haring in Foreign Affairs: Ukraine in the Crosshairs

By Atlantic Council

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