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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

Jun 24, 2021

Putin blames anyone but himself for loss of Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently published an op-ed accusing the US of staging an anti-Russian coup in Ukraine, but in reality nobody has done more to erode Russian influence in Ukraine than Putin himself.

Conflict Disinformation

MENASource

Jun 24, 2021

US-Russia summit: Much ado about nothing in the Middle East

By Li-Chen Sim, Daniel Rakov, and Joze Pelayo

In this brief reaction piece, two experts from our working group on Chinese and Russian power projection in the Middle East offer their views on the potential implications of the US-Russia summit for the Middle East.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

BelarusAlert

Jun 23, 2021

Why Putin dare not abandon Belarus dictator Lukashenka

By Jan Pieklo

Europe’s last two dictators know that if one should fall, the other will find himself in a perilous position. They may not necessarily like it, but Putin and Lukashenka are now locked in an authoritarian alliance.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

BelarusAlert

Jun 22, 2021

Belarus sanctions target dictator’s Russian enablers

By Brian Whitmore

When the US, EU, Canada, and UK announced a new Belarus sanctions this week, one name in particular stood out: Russian businessman Mikhail Gutseriyev.

Belarus Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Jun 21, 2021

Tony Blinken on the Putin summit and why the ‘democratic recession’ matters for LGBTQI rights

By Daniel Malloy

The US secretary of state spoke at an Atlantic Council Front Page event in honor of Pride Month, setting out the department’s priorities on LGBTI issues.

Afghanistan Human Rights

Inflection Points

Jun 20, 2021

Biden’s Europe trip set the stage for his historic ambitions

By Frederick Kempe

Having repeatedly provided his diagnosis of the cancers endangering global democracies, Biden this past week accelerated the course of treatment.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

UkraineAlert

Jun 19, 2021

The dangers of echoing Russian disinformation on Ukraine

By Andreas Umland

Disinformation has been central to Russia's seven-year hybrid war against Ukraine. By echoing Kremlin narratives, Western commentators risk enabling Russian aggression and undermining international security.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Jun 18, 2021

How Russia, China, and Iran will shape Afghanistan’s future

By Nilofar Sakhi

Each country in the region has specific interests that influence its engagement in Afghanistan’s future, and the relations of regional powers demonstrate the realpolitik at play.

Afghanistan China

UkraineAlert

Jun 17, 2021

Biden-Putin summit review: Good news for Ukraine?

By Peter Dickinson

Few countries were as anxious as Ukraine ahead of Wednesday’s summit in Geneva between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, but can Kyiv regard the outcome as favorable?

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jun 17, 2021

Ashford in the New York Times: The Biden-Putin summit “this is not about trust”

By Atlantic Council

On June 17, Emma Ashford was interviewed in the New York Times by columnist Bret Stephens on the topic of the Biden-Putin summit. Ashford saw the theme of Biden’s approach as “creating an opening to move to a more productive US-Russia dialogue. The concrete steps they agreed to — a return of the ambassadors to Moscow […]

English Politics & Diplomacy

Experts