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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

BelarusAlert

Jan 13, 2021

Vladimir Putin has nothing but bad options in Belarus

By Brian Whitmore

Vladimir Putin knows his support for dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is poisoning attitudes towards Russia in neighboring Belarus, but he cannot allow a democratic uprising to succeed so close to home.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jan 12, 2021

Borghard in Power Problems: Shining a light on the SolarWinds hack

By Atlantic Council

On January 12, Erica Borghard participated in the Cato Institute’s Power Problems new podcast episode titled “Shining a Light on the SolarWinds Hack” hosted by John Glaseron and featuring Brandon Valeriano. Erica discussed the SolarWinds breach and how to understand the incident in light of the US cyber strategy and policy. “Did Russia commit a cyber […]

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Jan 11, 2021

US sanctions Giuliani-linked Ukrainians over Russian bid to influence 2020 election

By Anders Åslund

The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on seven Ukrainians who stand accused of meddling in the recent American presidential election campaign on behalf of Russia.

Elections Russia

UkraineAlert

Jan 9, 2021

Russia remains unwilling to end seven-year Ukraine war

By Oleksii Reznikov

Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its readiness to make compromises in order to secure peace with Russia but Moscow has so far refused to reciprocate, argues Ukraine's Deputy PM Oleksii Reznikov.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

UkraineAlert

Jan 7, 2021

How to improve EU-Ukraine energy cooperation in 2021

By Olga Bielkova

Ukraine's GTSOU gas transportation system operator is hoping to expand cooperation with European partners in 2021 as part of efforts to diversify beyond the prior focus on Russian gas transit to EU markets.

Eastern Europe Energy Transitions

UkraineAlert

Jan 5, 2021

All roads lead to Ukraine in Putin’s global hybrid war

By Peter Dickinson

For the past seven years, Russia has been waging a campaign of hybrid hostilities against the West. This confrontation began in Ukraine, and events in Ukraine remain central to what has become a new Cold War.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jan 3, 2021

Kroenig featured in the Daily Signal’s reading list

By Atlantic Council

On January 3, Deputy Director of the Scowcroft CenterMatthew Kroenig was featured in the Daily Signal’s article featuring twenty-six books to read in 2021 as recommended by The Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action for America.

China Greece

UkraineAlert

Jan 2, 2021

US imposes new sanctions to kill off Putin’s pet pipeline

By Diane Francis

New US sanctions look set to thwart Russian efforts to complete a strategically important natural gas pipeline that would greatly strengthen the Kremlin's control over European energy supplies.

European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security

Issue Brief

Dec 23, 2020

Countering Russia’s challenge to the free world

By Edward Fishman, Ash Jain

Over the past decade, the Kremlin has executed a concerted strategy to undermine the cohesion of, and confidence in, democratically-elected governments in Europe and around the world. In response, leading democracies have acted to counter Russia by enacting sanctions and pursuing other measures aimed at defending frontline states against Russian aggression.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

In the News

Dec 22, 2020

Hans Binnendijk in Defense News on how the Biden administration can reenergize strategic arms control.

Hans Binnendijk writes that extending New Start is only the first step in a long process to return nuclear arms control from the brink.

Arms Control Europe & Eurasia

Experts