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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 President Vladimir Putin, May 1, 2015

NATOSource

May 4, 2015

US Officials Reveal Russia Increasing Control Over Militants in Ukraine

By Bradley Klapper and Ken Dilanian, AP

American officials briefed on intelligence from the region say Russia has significantly deepened its command and control of the militants in eastern Ukraine in recent months, leading the U.S. to quietly introduce a new term: “combined Russian-separatist forces.”

Russia Ukraine
Swedish soldiers training, Aug. 25, 2013

NATOSource

May 4, 2015

Nations Around Baltic Sea Increasing Defense Spending

By Charles Duxbury, Christina Zander, and Juhana Rossi, Wall Street Journal

After Russia grabbed a piece of the Black Sea coast from Ukraine and ramped up its marine and air force exercises on and over the Baltic, the other eight countries with a piece of that sea’s shoreline have realized that this backwater isn’t as placid as it was.

NATO Northern Europe
Russian missile cruiser Peter the Great, June 28, 2003

NATOSource

May 1, 2015

China and Russia Announce First Joint Naval Exercise in the Mediterranean

By Jane Perlez, New York Times

The Chinese Navy will hold joint exercises with Russia in the Mediterranean in May, China’s Defense Ministry said Thursday, a further indication of the closer ties between the two countries and of the navy’s increasing ambitions.

China Russia
Gen. Philip Breedlove, July 1, 2014

NATOSource

Apr 30, 2015

Commander of US Military in Europe Sees Signs of Russia Preparing Another Offensive

By Philip Breedlove, EUCOM

Compared to just one year ago, Europe faces a very different, and much more challenging security environment.one with significant, lasting implications for U.S. national security interests.

NATO Russia

In the News

Apr 30, 2015

Marczak on Russia and Latin America

By Jason Marczak

Fox News Latino quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on Russian relations with Latin America:

Latin America Russia

UkraineAlert

Apr 30, 2015

Ukraine’s Volunteer Battalions Must Join the Military or Sheath the Sword

By Ruben Gzirian

The Ukrainian army faces growing criticism from within its ranks after humiliating defeats at Debaltseve and Ilovaisk in eastern Ukraine. When fighting broke out between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists, the Ukrainian military was weak and the state had to rely on volunteers. Of the fifty thousand Ukrainian troops in the field, 22 percent are […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Apr 30, 2015

The West’s Strategy Toward Putin Promises Conflict and Increases Danger of Wider War

By Melinda Haring

Ian Brzezinski: Our policy “conveys hesitancy and a lack of unity and determination. It has failed to convince Putin to reverse course. Indeed, it may have actually emboldened him.”    The West’s current strategy toward Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression in Ukraine not only promises continued conflict in Ukraine but also poses an increased danger […]

Russia Ukraine
Chief of the Russian General Staff General Valery Gerasimov, Nov. 9, 2012

NATOSource

Apr 28, 2015

Russia Threatens NATO Over Missile Shield

By Paul Sonne, Wall Street Journal

Russia’s top general warned European countries planning to host installations for a U.S.-led missile-defense shield that Russian forces would be forced to target them.

Central Europe Missile Defense

EconoGraphics

Apr 28, 2015

Do Sanctions Work After All?

By Global Business & Economics

International Relations scholars disagree about whether economic sanctions are an effective tool to coerce countries to follow a certain course of action.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Apr 28, 2015

Klitschko: Economic Success Will Unite Country

By Melinda Haring

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko is no pushover. The former professional boxer turned politician has never been knocked down in a professional boxing match. Known for his powerful punches, Klitschko’s 87 percent knockout rate is the second-best knockout-to-fight ratio of any champion in heavyweight boxing history.

Russia Ukraine

Experts