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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

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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

UkraineAlert

Mar 24, 2020

Could coronavirus become Putin’s Chernobyl?

By Peter Dickinson

Official Russian coronavirus infection rates far lower than elsewhere in Europe, sparking accusations of a Kremlin cover-up. Could the pandemic become a new Chernobyl for Vladimir Putin?

Coronavirus Russia

Article

Mar 24, 2020

Six reasons the Kremlin spreads disinformation about the coronavirus

By Jakub Kalenský

Fabrications about COVID-19’s origins are meant to stir up anti-U.S. sentiment and fuel discord.

Coronavirus Disinformation

Article

Mar 24, 2020

Storming the sauna: a ceasefire violation in the Donbas

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Photos and video of an attack along the line of contact in the Donbas region of Ukraine provided a rare look at ceasefire violations.

Conflict Drones

UkraineAlert

Mar 23, 2020

Why Ukraine cannot risk recognizing Putin’s proxies

By Lisa Yasko

Many Ukrainians are alarmed by plans to create an Advisory Council together with representatives from Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. Critics say the move will allow Russia to distance itself from the war.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2020

Russia is out of control: The dangerous Mr. Sechin

By Anders Åslund

Russia is out of control. All of a sudden, it has launched an oil price war, even though it is unrealistic that the Kremlin can defeat Saudi Arabia and the United States in such a contest. Saudi Arabia’s population is one-fifth of Russia’s, while holding equivalent international currency reserves. The United States is still a net oil importer, meaning that its economy benefits from low oil prices. Russia, by contrast, is a major oil exporter and is utterly dependent on high oil prices.

Corruption Oil and Gas

In the News

Mar 22, 2020

Haring and Klain in The National Interest: Why Autocrats Love Coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Authoritarian leaders are constantly searching for scapegoats, working to rile up the fears of their populace, and trying to tighten their grips. To them, the coronavirus pandemic is a bonanza—the liberal democracies that would typically call them out for their violence and repression are distracted with the necessities of stopping the virus in their home […]

Central Asia Coronavirus

In the News

Mar 21, 2020

Sherman quoted in Defense One on Russia’s cyber warfare capabilities

By Atlantic Council

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Mar 18, 2020

Living next door to a superpower: How Canada’s experience can help Ukraine

By Roman Waschuk

As Ukraine struggles to find a route towards peaceful coexistence with its powerful Russian neighbor, Kyiv politicians could learn from Canada's own experience of living next door to a global superpower.

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

UkraineAlert

Mar 18, 2020

Cruz vows to thwart Russian bid to save Putin’s pipeline

By Diane Francis

Russia is attempting to sidestep American sanctions designed to block the completion of an important new energy pipeline that bypasses Ukraine, but US Senator Ted Cruz has said he remains committed to stopping the project permanently.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

UkraineAlert

Mar 16, 2020

Ukraine’s pro-Russian MPs plot new front with Putin

By Bohdan Nahaylo

Ukraine's pro-Russian political forces have been in retreat since 2014, but as the world focuses on the coronavirus crisis, Kremlin-friendly Ukrainian MPs are planning new initiatives with their Moscow colleagues.

Conflict Russia

Experts

Events