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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.

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Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Dec. 2, 2015

NATOSource

Dec 14, 2015

NATO Chief Stoltenberg: ‘Now Is the Time To Invest in Our Defense’

By Jens Stoltenberg, Defense News

We are facing the biggest security challenges in a generation. They are complex, interrelated and come from many directions.

NATO Russia

UkraineAlert

Dec 14, 2015

Memo to Presidential Candidates: The Putin Problem Isn’t Going Away

By Terrell Jermaine Starr

Foreign-policy challenges will keep the next commander-in-chief up late. Analysts focus on the threat that Islamic State poses to the United States and its allies, but the Putin problem is unlikely to fade. As the candidates gear up for the next round of debates—slated for December 15 and 19—it’s time to take stock of the […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Dec 14, 2015

Hellyer on the Downing of a Russian Airliner Near the Sinai Peninsula

By H.A. Hellyer

The Guardian quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer on Egypt announcing it found no evidence of terrorism in the downing of a Russian airliner near the Sinai Peninsula:

North Africa Russia
Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide, June 25, 2014

NATOSource

Dec 14, 2015

Norway’s Defense Minister: It’s Time to Boost NATO’s Maritime Profile

By Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide, Defense News

We need to raise NATO’s profile in the maritime domain. This requires maritime power and presence.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

UkraineAlert

Dec 14, 2015

Battle for Donetsk Airport: Haunting Documentary Captures Ukrainian Resilience

By Diane Francis

A haunting message from a Ukrainian soldier closes “Airport Donetsk,” a documentary about the 200-day siege that ended in January 2015. “I can’t sleep at all,” said the downcast survivor. “I see them…I see my guys in my dreams.” He was one of a dozen Ukrainians and Russians interviewed for this film by Radio Free […]

Russia Ukraine
SACEUR Gen. Philip Breedlove, May 21, 2015

NATOSource

Dec 11, 2015

SACEUR Breedlove Looks Back as He Charts NATO’s New Path

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

For NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Philip Breedlove, the intelligence coming into his headquarters pointed to a watershed moment for European security, but not everyone wanted to see it that way.

NATO Russia

In the News

Dec 11, 2015

Benitez on UN-Russian Relations

By Jorge Benitez

Stars and Stripes quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow and NATOSource Director Jorge Benitez on NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Phillip Breedlove’s approach toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s intervention in Ukraine:

NATO Russia

In the News

Dec 11, 2015

Aslund: Putin’s New Prudence

By Anders Aslund

Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Resident Senior Fellow Anders Aslund writes for Project Syndicate on the declining Russian economy: 

Russia

In the News

Dec 10, 2015

Grigas on Russian Expansionism, Compatriots, and Energy Transformation

By Agnia Grigas

World Affairs Journal interviews Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Agnia Grigas on energy and political risk in Russia, Eastern Europe, and the post-Soviet region:

Eastern Europe Russia
Gen. Ben Hodges, Commander of US Army Europe, Dec. 9, 2015

NATOSource

Dec 10, 2015

Russia Could Block Access to Baltic Sea, US General Says

By Defense One, Defense News, and Army News Service

From Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One:  Russia has moved ballistic missiles to and conducted nuclear strike drills from its Kaliningrad exclave, prompting Pentagon fears that Moscow could block access to the Baltic Sea.

Central Europe Hungary

Experts