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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

Sep 11, 2015

Hof on Assad’s Exit: “I Just Don’t See That Happening.”

By Fred Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof joins NPR’s All Things Considered to discuss Washington’s hopes of Russian and Iranian involvement in Syria leading to a favorable outcome:

Iran Russia

UkraineAlert

Sep 11, 2015

Memo to GOP Presidential Candidates: Bust Three Myths About Ukraine

By Jeffrey Gedmin

Forces hostile to US interests are filling vacuums around the world. It’s Islamic State and Iran in the Middle East. It’s a rising China in East Asia. It’s a bullying, belligerent Russia in Eastern Europe.  How to reverse the fraying world order? On September 16, Republican presidential candidates will meet for a second debate, this […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Sep 11, 2015

Roberts on Nord Stream Expansion

By John Roberts

Foreign Policy quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow John Roberts on the Nord Stream expansion and what it means for Europe’s dependence on Russian energy:

Europe & Eurasia Russia
British fighter jet intercepts Russian Tu-160 Blackjack bomber, Sept. 10, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 11, 2015

RAF Typhoons Intercept Russian Bombers Near UK Airspace

By Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom

RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) fighter aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland yesterday to meet two Russian aircraft.

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Sep 11, 2015

Slavin Moderates Issues in the News

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin moderates Voice of America’s Issues in the News, discussing Europe’s migrant crisis, Russia’s intervention in Syria, the Iran deal, and the fourteenth anniversary of 9/11:

Europe & Eurasia Iran
Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, Jan. 23, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 11, 2015

Foreign Minister Calls in Russian Envoy Over ‘Threats’ About Sweden Joining NATO

By Reuters and Local (Sweden)

From Johan Sennero, Reuters:  Sweden has called in Russia’s ambassador to explain comments by a foreign ministry spokeswoman who said any Swedish decision to join NATO would have “consequences” that would compel Russia to respond.

NATO Northern Europe
NATO's first unmanned air vehicle, June 4, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 11, 2015

NATO Caught ‘Surprised’ By Russia’s Move Into Syria

By Kevin Baron, Defense News

When Russia sent military forces into Syria last weekend, it caught NATO by surprise and proved that its members can neither stay ahead of threats nor even decide which ones are the most pressing, the alliance’s intelligence director said.

Intelligence NATO

In the News

Sep 10, 2015

Polyakova on NATO’s Russia Concerns

By Atlantic Council

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Associate Director Alina Polyakova on NATO’s growing concerns as Russia builds a military base near Ukraine: 

NATO Russia

Issue Brief

Sep 10, 2015

Energy sanctions and Russia: What comes next?

By Adnan Vatansever

The West has responded to the Kremlin's increasingly bellicose policy in the former Soviet space by imposing punitive measures against Russia's energy sector. The immediate impact of such measures appears limited as neither oil nor gas flowing from Russia is expected to suffer right away. However, the sanctions' long-term implications may prove more important.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

SyriaSource

Sep 10, 2015

Obama’s Failure to Stop Assad Contributes to Refugee Crisis

By Frederic C. Hof

The following is an excerpt from an article by Frederic Hof, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, originally published by Foreign Policy on September 9, 2015.

Iran Russia

Experts

Events