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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

Russian Tupolev Tu-22M bomber off the coast of Norway, August 17, 2006

NATOSource

Jun 15, 2015

Is Russia’s Brinkmanship the New Norm?

By Phil Ewing, Politico

The chill between Russia and the West has brought Cold War-style military brinkmanship roaring back — with a 21st century twist.

NATO Russia
NATO ships participating in BALTOPS, June 8, 2015

NATOSource

Jun 15, 2015

Russian Military Aircraft Buzzes NATO Warships

By Barbara Star, CNN

In a still publicly unacknowledged incident, a Russian military surveillance aircraft flew close to four NATO warships in the Baltic Sea on Thursday,

NATO Russia
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and former National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley

New Atlanticist

Jun 13, 2015

Hadley: Ukraine Faces ‘Enormous Existential Challenge’

The United States and its European allies must dramatically step up efforts to help the Ukrainian people defend themselves from Russian President Vladimir Putin and his proxies in eastern Ukraine, said Stephen J. Hadley, who served as National Security Adviser under US President George W. Bush. Hadley, speaking June 13 at the Atlantic Council’s Wroclaw […]

Russia Ukraine
President Barack Obama, July 28, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 12, 2015

Non-Military Options for Stopping Further Russian Aggression in Ukraine

By David Horn and Marik String, Foreign Affairs

To date, the United States has “blocked” approximately 130 Russian and Ukrainian officials, businessmen, separatists, and companies.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 12, 2015

Don’t Fall for Putin’s Game, Warn European Officials

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Kremlin strategy seen rooted in distracting West with propaganda and splintering alliance Russian President Vladimir Putin has a strategy clearly aimed at dividing the Western alliance arrayed against him and this must not be allowed to succeed, two European officials said June 12. “If we understand that one of the goals of Mr. Putin is […]

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Jun 12, 2015

Polish Leaders Urge Solidarity for Ukraine

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Officials stress they don’t seek confrontation with Russia Top Polish officials June 12 exhorted the transatlantic community to show solidarity with countries bearing the brunt of Russia’s aggression, but stressed that they do not seek a confrontation with Moscow. “The European response to the situation in the east can be driven as much by our […]

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Jun 11, 2015

Herbst on ISIS and Russia

By John E. Herbst

Foreign Policy quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John E. Herbst on the building alliance of Central Asia and Russia against ISIS:

Russia
US M1 Abrams tanks training in Latvia, Nov., 6, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 11, 2015

Infographic: Transformation of NATO Forces After Wales Summit

Explanation and analysis of changes in the Alliance after the NATO summit in Wales.

NATO Russia

In the News

Jun 11, 2015

Herbst on Russian Promotion of Division in Ukraine

By John E. Herbst

The New York Times quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John Herbst on Russia’s tacit support of a fundraising network which provides for the separatists fighting in Eastern Ukraine:

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jun 11, 2015

Russia’s Buildup Along Ukraine’s Border Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Does

By Ruben Gzirian

Much has been made about the tactics and military doctrine driving Russian operations in eastern Ukraine. Some analysts see Russia following a hybrid war strategy, while others contend that the Kremlin is simply trying to “catch up conceptually to the realities of modern war.” One thing is clear: Russia is manipulating eastern Ukraine through misdirection, […]

Russia Ukraine

Experts