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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.

Content

UkraineAlert

Jul 13, 2015

Ukraine’s Dangerous Drive to Decentralize

By Maksym Khylko

Here’s Why the West Should Stop Pushing Decentralization Now  In the coming days the Ukrainian parliament is expected to debate a draft law that would amend Ukraine’s Constitution on decentralization to expand local governments’ powers. The West has enthusiastically encouraged Ukraine to embrace decentralization, provide special status for the Donbas, and hold local elections in […]

Russia Ukraine

Europe After The Vote

Jul 10, 2015

Gramer and Rizzo: Five Reasons NATO Fears a Grexit

By Robbie Gramer and Rachel Rizzo

Transatlantic Security Initiative Assistant Director Robbie Gramer and Brent Scowcroft Center Program Assistant Rachel Rizzo write for Politico Europe on why Putin would receive a major boost from Greece leaving the eurozone:

Greece NATO

Report

Jul 9, 2015

The impact of Turkish Stream on European energy security and the Southern Gas Corridor

By John Roberts

Russia has proposed building a major new pipeline intended to carry gas to customers in both Turkey and the European Union. The project, dubbed Turkish Stream, is controversial and is of profound significance for European energy security.

European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security
Gen. Raymond Odierno and Ukrainian Gen. Oleh Garchu, July 8, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 9, 2015

US Planning To Train More Ukrainian Forces, May Include Armor and Airborne Troops

By Julian E. Barnes, Wall Street Journal

U.S. and Ukrainian officials are making plans to expand the training of Ukrainian military forces at a training base in the western part of the country, officials said Wednesday.

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Jul 9, 2015

Åslund: Russia’s War on Ukraine’s Economy

By Anders Åslund

Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Resident Senior Fellow Anders Åslund writes for Project Syndicate on how Ukraine’s primary economic challenges are not homegrown, but are rather the result of Russian aggression:

Russia Ukraine
Missile defense test by the USS Fitzgerald, Oct. 24, 2012

NATOSource

Jul 8, 2015

Can Missile Defense Counter Russia’s Nuclear Saber Rattling?

By Robbie Gramer

Attempting to defend Europe against a Russian ballistic missile attack would be “extremely challenging and costly,” according to the State Department’s top missile defense official.

Missile Defense NATO

UkraineAlert

Jul 8, 2015

Repression of Crimean Tatars Intensifies Under Russia, Says New Turkish Report

By Melinda Haring

Russian authorities have forced Crimean Tatars to become Russian citizens and curtailed their freedoms of speech, language, education, and residence—as well as their right to a fair trial. That’s according to an independent group of Turkish scholars sent to Crimea to investigate human rights violations after Russia annexed the peninsula on March 18, 2014.

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jul 8, 2015

Here’s Why Armenia Is Not Ukraine

By Sabine Freizer

The Electric Yerevan protest officially ended July 7, two weeks after it began as a reaction to the Armenian government’s 16.7 percent increase in electricity prices. But the social movement behind it will likely continue influencing Armenia until the country makes serious political reforms. Thousands marched on Yerevan’s Baghramyan Avenue—a main artery fronting the presidential […]

Russia
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, July 6, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 7, 2015

Secretary of Defense Carter: US-French Security Partnership Stronger than Ever

By Ash Carter and Jean-Yves Le Drian, Department of Defense

Carter:  France is America’s oldest ally. And today, our security partnership is the strongest it’s ever been.

France NATO
NATO's current Strategic Concept was accepted Nov. 19, 2010

NATOSource

Jul 6, 2015

NATO May Revise Relationship with Russia Through New Strategy Document

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

NATO is preparing for a long standoff with Russia, reluctantly accepting that the Ukraine conflict has fundamentally transformed Europe’s security landscape and that it may have to abandon hope of a constructive relationship with Moscow.

NATO Russia

Experts

Events