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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.

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Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola and Gen. Nikolay Makarov, May 4, 2011

NATOSource

May 24, 2016

NATO Succeeds When it Combines Defense and Dialogue

By Tobias Bunde, EastWest Institute

[O]nly a more visible presence will make a renewed emphasis on dialogue meaningful, signaling to Russia that NATO will not be intimidated by Moscow. And only a clear commitment to dialogue will allow all Allies to back a stronger defensive posture.

NATO Russia

NATOSource

May 24, 2016

Portuguese Spy Caught Passing ‘NATO Secrets’ to Russian Handler in Rome

By James Badcock, Telegraph

The Kremlin’s espionage offensive in Europe came to the surface on Tuesday after a Portuguese spy was arrested in Rome for allegedly passing Nato secrets to a Russian intelligence officer.

Intelligence Italy

UkraineAlert

May 23, 2016

Get Real, Europe. Sanctions on Russia Must Stay in Place

By Aaron Korewa

The EU is poised for another discussion on sanctions against Russia when they expire in July. As usual, there are some countries that are wavering for one reason or another. On April 28, French conservative MP Thierry Mariani secured a majority for a non-binding resolution in the French parliament recommending that the EU’s trade limits […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

May 20, 2016

Polyakova Joins Voice of America Georgia to Discuss Russian Propaganda in Georgia

By Alina Polyakova

Watch the full interview here.

Russia The Caucasus
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Nov. 26, 2015

NATOSource

May 19, 2016

Vladimir Putin’s Dangerous Obsession

By Editorial Board, New York Times

Syria is just one arena where Mr. Putin’s obsessive quest to make Russia great again has fueled instability and reawakened political suspicions and animosities that faded after the fall of the Soviet Union.

NATO Russia

UkraineAlert

May 19, 2016

Reconciliation Will Be Ukraine’s Next Serious Battle with Russia

By Volodymyr Turchynovskyy

Until very recently, Ukrainians predominantly spoke a language of identities, differentiating between people from western Ukraine and people from the eastern part of the country, Ukrainian speaking versus Russian speaking, Greek Catholics versus Orthodox. But what was powerfully witnessed during the Euromaidan was the emergence of a new modality of communication that we might call […]

Russia Ukraine
Nordic flags

NATOSource

May 19, 2016

Obama and Nordic Leaders United Against Russian Aggression

By Mary Alice Salinas, Voice of America

President Barack Obama said Friday that an agreement between the U.S. and five Nordic nations to increase cooperation in the face of rising Russian aggression is an effort to ensure that “smaller nations are not bullied by larger nations.”

Northern Europe Russia

In the News

May 19, 2016

Farkas Quoted by Voice of America Russia on NATO and Russia

By Evelyn Farkas

Read the full article here.

NATO Russia

UkraineAlert

May 18, 2016

Memo to Ukraine and the West: Beware of Unrealistic Peace Plans. The Kremlin Will Outplay You Every Time

By Maksym Khylko

The latest Normandy Four meeting on May 11 in Berlin did not result in any major breakthroughs to end the stalemate in Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine agreed to create demilitarized zones in separatist-held areas of eastern Ukraine, enhance information-sharing, and halt military exercises along the contact line, but these steps will not break the current […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

May 16, 2016

How Ukraine Can Recover Its Stolen Assets from Kleptocrats and Russia

By Alan Riley

Ukraine has suffered from a negligent and criminal administration, then revolution, war, invasion, annexation, and a situation close to economic collapse. One can argue that turning to legal solutions for recovery of some of the losses that Ukraine has suffered is not realistic or practical. While it is true that Ukraine cannot frogmarch members of […]

Russia Ukraine

Experts