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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

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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

New Atlanticist

Oct 20, 2020

Defense Secretary unveils a new strategy for bolstering allies and partnerships in an era of great-power competition

By David A. Wemer

As the United States prepares for long-term competition with adversaries such as China and Russia, the Department of Defense is unveiling new plans to strengthen America’s network of alliances and partnerships. “Our global constellation of allies and partners remain an enduring strength that our competitors and adversaries simply cannot match,” US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said during an Atlantic Council Front Page event on October 20.

China Defense Industry

ACFrontPage

Oct 20, 2020

Transcript: Strengthening US alliances and partnerships with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper

By Atlantic Council

Secretary Esper discussed how the United States can expand and deepen its global networks of allies and partners, leverage security and defense cooperation to build allied capacity and capability overseas, and improve interoperability to ensure more seamless combined operations against great-power adversaries.

China Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Oct 20, 2020

Battle for borshch: Ukraine lays claim to soup dish amid identity war with Russia

By Mark Raczkiewycz

Popular soup dish borshch has recently emerged as the latest battleground in Ukraine’s struggle to assert an independent national identity and shake off centuries of Russian imperial domination.

Conflict Disinformation
Belarus Police Brutality

Article

Oct 19, 2020

Belarus Interior Ministry exaggerates protester violence to justify excessive force

By Nika Aleksejeva

Two months after the contested presidential election, law enforcement has returned to using disproportionate violence against protesters.

Belarus Disinformation

In the News

Oct 17, 2020

Kroenig presents on great power rivalry for Savannah Council on World Affairs

By Atlantic Council

On October 15, Matthew Kroenig gave a virtual presentation for the Savannah Council on World Affairs. He spoke about the ideas in his book: The Return of the Great Power Rivalry: Democracy versus Autocracy from the Ancient World to the US and China.

China Economy & Business
False Religious Conflict in Belarus

Article

Oct 15, 2020

Kremlin creates illusion of a religious clash between Belarus Orthodox and Catholics

By Nika Aleksejeva

Open source evidence shows overall solidarity among religious groups in Belarus despite Kremlin attempt to foment conflict between Orthodox and Catholics.

Belarus Disinformation

In the News

Oct 15, 2020

Kroenig: H.R. McMaster’s book shows that the United States must know its enemies and itself

By Atlantic Council

On October 15, the National Review published a review of General H.R. McMaster’s new book Battlegounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World. Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig discusses the book’s primary contention, that US foreign policy has too often fallen into “strategic narcissism.” A better foreign policy would begin with “strategic empathy,” or […]

China Politics & Diplomacy

NATO 20/2020

Oct 14, 2020

Ramp up on Russia

By Alexander Vershbow

NATO needs to increase the costs for Russian aggression while building back crucial dialogue if there is any prospect for improved relations with Moscow.

Arms Control Defense Policy

NATO 20/2020

Oct 14, 2020

Threaten decisive nuclear retaliation

By David Gompert and Hans Binnendijk

NATO should thwart Russian use of nuclear weapons by threatening certain retaliation.

Arms Control Europe & Eurasia

NATO 20/2020

Oct 14, 2020

End the Russian veto on Georgian accession

By Luke Coffey and Alexis Mrachek

Admitting Georgia to NATO without extending an Article 5 guarantee to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region can fulfil the promise of the Bucharest Summit.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Experts