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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.

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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

In the News

Aug 1, 2017

Farkas Quoted by the Huffington Post on Putin’s US Diplomatic Staff Cuts

By Evelyn Farkas

Read the full article here.

Russia

In the News

Aug 1, 2017

Herbst Quoted in Huffington Post on Russia’s Response to Sanctions

By John Herbst

Read the full article here.

Russia

UkraineAlert

Aug 1, 2017

The Russia Sanctions Bill Is a Decisive Moment for US Policy—Now What?

By Edward Fishman

On August 2, President Donald Trump signed the Russia sanctions bill that passed the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities. Trump had little choice; had he rejected the bill, it would have become law anyway. Despite concerns that House Republicans would water down the bill after it initially sailed through the Senate on June 15, […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Jul 31, 2017

Simakovsky Joins CBS News to Discuss Putin’s Demand That the United States Cut Diplomatic Staff

By Mark D. Simakovsky

Watch the full discussion here.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2017

Putin Lashes Out

Will Russia’s reaction to US sanctions be short-lived? [Editor’s note: US President Donald J. Trump signed the new sanctions bill on August 2.]  The Kremlin’s reaction to the new US sanctions indicates that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in a “lashing-out mood,” that, while unsettling, will be short-lived, according to Daniel Fried, a distinguished fellow […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2017

Targeting Russia’s Oil: Why Sanctions Will Ultimately Work

By Lukas Trakimavičius

It has been three years since the European Union (EU) and the United States enacted a series of sanctions against Russia for the unlawful annexation of Crimea and the subsequent war in eastern Ukraine. Some of these sanctions deliberately target Russia’s oil industry because it is the backbone of the country’s economy. However, as Russia’s […]

Russia

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2017

Left of launch: Countering theater ballistic missiles

By Herbert C. Kemp

NATO currently finds itself in an increasingly competitive international environment, with potential adversaries who field, among other things, progressively capable ballistic and cruise missile capabilities. This is particularly the case with Russia, which has proven itself capable of fielding conventional long- range strike capabilities that can reach far into NATO territory.

Missile Defense NATO

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2017

Left of launch: Countering theater ballistic missiles

By Herbert C. Kemp

NATO currently finds itself in an increasingly competitive international environment, with potential adversaries who field, among other things, progressively capable ballistic and cruise missile capabilities. This is particularly the case with Russia, which has proven itself capable of fielding conventional long- range strike capabilities that can reach far into NATO territory.

Missile Defense NATO

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2017

Nuclear geopolitics in the Baltic Sea region: Exposing Russian strategic interests behind Ostrovets NPP

By Giedrius Česnakas and Justinas Juozaitis

In the Baltic Sea Region, there is an important but often overlooked and underestimated security challenge brewing. Russia is increasing its foothold in Belarus by facilitating and supporting the construction of the Ostrovets NPP, while simultaneously blocking other strategic energy projects.

Belarus Eastern Europe

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2017

Nuclear geopolitics in the Baltic Sea region: Exposing Russian strategic interests behind Ostrovets NPP

By Giedrius Česnakas and Justinas Juozaitis

In the Baltic Sea Region, there is an important but often overlooked and underestimated security challenge brewing. Russia is increasing its foothold in Belarus by facilitating and supporting the construction of the Ostrovets NPP, while simultaneously blocking other strategic energy projects.

Belarus Eastern Europe

Experts