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

In the News

Nov 7, 2021

Vershbow in The National Interest: How NATO can help Ukraine deter Russian aggression

By Alexander Vershbow

Amb. Vershbow argues in The National Interest that NATO’s new Strategic Concept should adopt a more strategic approach to ensuring the security of Ukraine.

English Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Nov 6, 2021

Disarming Putin’s energy weapon: Ukraine must connect to EU grid

By Anders Åslund

With Vladimir Putin seeking to restrict energy supplies to Ukraine, it is increasingly clear that Kyiv must connect to the European electricity grid in order to reduce its vulnerability to Kremlin blackmail tactics.

Conflict Energy & Environment

In the News

Nov 4, 2021

Polymeropoulos in Belfer Center on Havana Syndrome

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulous discusses Havana Syndrome.

Americas Cuba

UkraineAlert

Nov 4, 2021

Ukraine faces energy crisis as Putin weaponizes gas and coal supplies

By Aura Sabadus

As the winter season draws closer, Ukraine faces a looming energy crisis on multiple fronts which could lead to domestic political instability and deepen the country’s dependence on Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Conflict Energy & Environment

In the News

Nov 4, 2021

Pavel and Trotti in Defense One on emerging technology and strategic deterrence

By Atlantic Council

Barry Pavel and Christian Trotti publish an Op-Ed in Defense One titled "New Tech Will Erode Nuclear Deterrence. The US Must Adapt."

China Defense Policy

BelarusAlert

Nov 3, 2021

Is Lukashenka mimicking Putin’s weaponization of organized crime?

By Brian Whitmore

As he becomes more and more dependent on the Kremlin, is Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka now also adopting the Putin regime's practice of using organized crime as an instrument of statecraft?

Belarus Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Nov 2, 2021

Putin’s Ukraine War: Russian MP recalls efforts to push civil war myth

By Peter Dickinson

Russian MP Alexander Borodai's frank recent comments about Russia's responsibility for the war in Ukraine underline the current sense of impunity in Moscow and expose the absurdity of Russia's ongoing denials.

Conflict Disinformation

MENASource

Oct 29, 2021

What does Russia get out of Iran’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?

By Li-Chen Sim and Nicole Grajewski

Russia and Iran’s acrimonious relationship with the United States has brought the countries closer together.

China Iran

BelarusAlert

Oct 27, 2021

Has Lukashenka’s anti-NATO gambit paid off with Putin?

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka's decision to abandon years of geopolitical neutrality and join Vladimir Putin's hybrid war against the West may have succeeded in convincing the Kremlin to keep him in position.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Oct 27, 2021

Europe must defend itself against Vladimir Putin’s energy weapon

By Diane Francis

Moscow’s role in Europe’s escalating gas crisis should be a wake-up call for European policymakers who prefer to downplay the threat posed by weaponized Russian energy supplies and Vladimir Putin’s revisionist regime.

Conflict Disinformation

Experts