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

Seizing the advantage

Mar 1, 2021

How should the next National Defense Strategy balance terrorism, rogue regimes, and great-power competition?

By Matthew R. Crouch, Ronald C. Fairbanks

Our experts explore how the United States can tackle terrorism, address the advances of rogue regimes, and establish a balance between competition and cooperation with other global powers.

China Conflict

In the News

Feb 28, 2021

Herbst in The National Interest: Resisting Russia

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

UkraineAlert

Feb 26, 2021

Why Ukraine sanctioned Putin’s ally Medvedchuk

By Andriy Yermak

Ukraine has introduced a number of measures during February 2021 to restrict the influence of Vladimir Putin's closest Ukrainian ally, Viktor Medvedchuk.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2021

How to deploy economic tools against Putin’s aggression

By Brian O’Toole, Daniel Fried

Life doesn’t wait for any administration—and neither will Putin. Here's how the US government can deploy sanctions and other tools of economic statecraft as part of a broader Russia policy.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 25, 2021

Power Vertical Podcast: The plot against Navalny

By Atlantic Council

Eastern Europe Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Feb 25, 2021

Russia’s collective punishment of the Crimean Tatars is a war crime

By Wayne Jordash and Anna Mykytenko

As Ukraine seeks international justice over the Russian seizure and occupation of Crimea, Kyiv should consider holding the Kremlin to account for the collective punishment of the Crimean Tatars.

Conflict Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Feb 25, 2021

Biden must freeze Putin’s pipeline and prevent this “bad deal for Europe”

By Benjamin Schmitt

By taking steps to block the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, US President Joe Biden has a real opportunity to build a new transatlantic security consensus while revitalizing the US-German relationship.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Germany

UkraineAlert

Feb 25, 2021

Ukrainians protest “political justice” over activist jailing

By Solomiia Bobrovska

The jailing of a high-profile Ukrainian activist has sparked protests over fears that his conviction represents politicized justice and a victory for pro-Kremlin forces within the Ukrainian establishment.

Civil Society Conflict

BelarusAlert

Feb 24, 2021

Questions remain after Putin hosts Lukashenka

By Brian Whitmore

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed his Belarusian counterpart Alyaksandr Lukashenka to Sochi this week but it remains unclear exactly what was agreed during their summit meeting.

Belarus Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 24, 2021

Varshney joins the Watson Institute’s Trending Globally to discuss India and the US in a Time of Democratic Erosion

By Atlantic Council

China Geopolitics & Energy Security

Experts