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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

Mar 18, 2021

Putin turns up pressure on Russian opposition ahead of September Duma elections

By Peter Dickinson

Moscow police raided a conference of independent municipal lawmakers on March 13 in a move that marks an escalation in the Kremlin crackdown on political opposition ahead of September elections.

Civil Society Elections

In the News

Mar 17, 2021

Brzezinski quoted in Defense News: Ukraine should look to US for air defenses, improved air force, says former defense adviser

By Ian Brzezinski

Ian Brzezinski was quoted in Defense News on the importance of expanding American military exercises in Ukraine, and the need for the United States to provide more for military assistance to Ukraine.

European Union NATO

BelarusAlert

Mar 17, 2021

How do you sanction a problem like Lukashenka?

By Brian Whitmore

The West is looking to increase sanctions against Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka but must also tread carefully to avoid creating opportunities for Russia to expand its geopolitical influence.

Belarus Economic Sanctions

UkraineAlert

Mar 17, 2021

New documentary chronicles the plight of Crimean Tatars under Russian occupation

By Elina-Alem Kent

The recently released documentary film “Crimean Solidarity” chronicles the inspirational efforts of the Crimean Tatar community as it struggles against the oppressive reality of Russian occupation.

Civil Society Conflict

In the News

Mar 16, 2021

Warrick on CBS Evening News on 2020 election interference

By Atlantic Council

On March 16, Forward Defense and Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas S. Warrick was interviewed on CBS Evening News regarding Russia and Iran interfering in the 2020 US elections.

Elections Intelligence

In the News

Mar 16, 2021

Warrick joins CBS to discuss Russian interference in the 2020 election

Elections Russia

Seizing the advantage

Mar 15, 2021

What the US can learn from the UK about strategic reviews

By Peter Watkins, Will Jessett CBE

The Biden administration has begun work on a slew of strategies—including a new National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Nuclear Posture Review—that will form the framework for its approach to security challenges. There’s a lot that it can learn from the British experience of conducting strategic reviews.

China Defense Industry

Inflection Points

Mar 14, 2021

The China-Russia moonshot is one more reason for Biden to rethink his Putin strategy

By Frederick Kempe

Moscow sees its space future with China and not the United States, further underscoring its growing strategic alignment with Beijing. The Biden administration must reflect on how the latest Sino-Russian collaboration should be factored into its emerging approach to Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Arms Control Russia

In the News

Mar 12, 2021

Power Vertical Podcast: The Power Horizontal

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Corruption

UkraineAlert

Mar 12, 2021

Is the US still committed to stopping Putin’s pipeline?

By Diane Francis

Concerns are growing over the Biden administration's commitment to blocking a controversial gas pipeline that threatens to significantly strengthen Putin's influence over Europe.

European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security

Experts