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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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Russian President Vladimir Putin, June 12, 2012

NATOSource

Sep 9, 2015

Putin Allies Aided Russian Mafia in Spain, Prosecutors Say

By Esteban Duarte and Henry Meyer, Bloomberg News

Some of Vladimir Putin’s closest allies, including the chairman of OAO Gazprom, a deputy premier and two former ministers, helped one of Russia’s largest criminal groups operate out of Spain for more than a decade, prosecutors in Madrid say.

NATO Russia
Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Jan. 25, 2005

NATOSource

Sep 9, 2015

Russian Troops Join Combat in Syria – Sources

By Reuters

Russian forces have begun participating in military operations in Syria in support of government troops, three Lebanese sources familiar with the political and military situation there said on Wednesday.

NATO Russia

In the News

Sep 9, 2015

Herbst on Russian Advisers in Syria

By John E. Herbst

The Washington Post quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John E. Herbst on the presence of Russian advisers in Syria:

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 9, 2015

Blanford: Why Russia Has Boosted Its Military Presence in Syria Now

By Nicholas Blanford

Middle East Peace and Security Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Nicholas Blanford writes for the Christian Science Monitor on the reason behind Russia’s support of the Assad regime and quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the Obama administration’s Syria policy: 

Russia Syria

UkraineAlert

Sep 9, 2015

Reforms Will Succeed, But They Alone Won’t Save Ukraine

By Andreas Umland

Will Ukraine make it? Conditions necessary for Ukraine’s current reform drive to succeed look more promising than they did in 2013. Not only does Ukraine now have its most pro-European parliament and reform-oriented government since independence in 1991; it’s also seen at least four other significant shifts in domestic politics that, taken together, render any […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Sep 9, 2015

Russia from Ukraine to Syria: Helping the Cat Down the Tree

By Ariel Cohen

Russia’s military involvement in Syria and Ukraine obligates the United States and its European allies to bring the Kremlin back to Earth and recognize that such adventures cannot be sustained indefinitely. Russia simply does not have the money and human resources to do so in view of low oil prices and birth rates. It will […]

Russia Ukraine
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, May 11, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 8, 2015

NATO Chief Concerned by Reported Russian Military Build-Up in Syria

By AFP

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Tuesday voiced concern over reports of a Russian military build-up in Syria, warning that any support for Bashar Assad would escalate the bloody conflict.

NATO Russia

In the News

Sep 8, 2015

Hof on the Gridlocked Syrian Diplomacy

By Frederic C. Hof

Al-Monitor quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on US-Syrian negotiations now complicated by Russian involvement:

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 8, 2015

Herbst on Russian Advisers in Syria

By John E. Herbst

Voice of America quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John E. Herbst on Russian incursions into Syria:

Russia Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin, August 17, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 7, 2015

Putin’s Gamble: An End to NATO and Restoration of Russian Might

By Stephen R. Covington, Newsweek

Putin is rearming Russia, remilitarizing Russia’s overall approach to security, changing Russia’s defense concepts, adopting continuous destabilization strategies against neighboring states

Europe & Eurasia NATO

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