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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

Article

Nov 27, 2018

#MinskMonitor: Russian Escalation in Kerch

By Michael Sheldon

Russian escalation at the Kerch Strait ended in cannon fire and the capture of three Ukrainian vessels, with at least six Ukrainian sailors wounded.

Disinformation English

Article

Nov 27, 2018

#MinskMonitor: Russia’s Great British Fake Off

By Aric Toler

Officials of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) claimed that “a group of military specialists from Great Britain” arrived in Bakhmut.

Disinformation English

In the News

Nov 27, 2018

Carpenter in Politico: Foreign Dark Money Is Threatening American Democracy

By Michael Carpenter

Read the full article here.

Russia

UkraineAlert

Nov 27, 2018

Why Martial Law Cheapens Ukraine’s Democracy

By Mattia Nelles

On November 25, Russia attacked Ukraine again. It was a vivid reminder that Ukraine is at war and the situation can escalate at any time. Three Ukrainian vessels were shot at and seized by Russian maritime forces. Twenty-three Ukrainian sailors are now in Russian captivity. It’s the first time Russia has openly attacked Ukrainian forces.

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Nov 26, 2018

Herbst Quoted in Axios on Russia Firing on Ukrainian Naval Ships

By John E. Herbst

Read the full article here.

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2018

Beware the lure of sanctions for Russia’s latest aggression

By Brian O'Toole

While sanctions may be useful to threaten Russia to rectify this situation, any imposition of them needs to be more strategically deployed—ideally with the EU—and lifted only for more strategic gains, vice resolution of this specific incident.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2018

Another Ukraine crisis tests US resolve

By Mark David Simakovsky

The United States should also work quickly and quietly to engage both the Russian and Ukrainian governments on the incident, warning them of the risks of further provocations and the need to find a way to ensure full and responsible Ukrainian access to its cities on the Sea of Azov.  

Economic Sanctions Maritime Security

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2018

An opportunity for the EU to give Ukraine a helping hand

By András Tóth-Czifra

Ultimately, EU leaders should keep in mind that in Ukraine, just as in other countries of the EU’s neighborhood, the EU has a normative, not a geopolitical battle to win.

European Union International Organizations

UkraineAlert

Nov 26, 2018

Russia’s Provocations in the Sea of Azov: What Should Be Done?

By Stephen Blank

On November 25 Russian vessels blocked Ukrainian ones from entering the Sea of Azov, fired on Ukrainian ships in the Black Sea, rammed some of those ships, seized three Ukrainian ships, and wounded six in these exchanges. Russia also dispatched helicopters to the area to maintain surveillance and fire capability over any approaching Ukrainian vessels. […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Nov 26, 2018

Herbst Quoted in Newsweek on Russia’s Attack on Ukrainian Naval Ships

By John E. Herbst

Read the full article here.

Russia

Experts