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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, Dec. 18, 2014

NATOSource

Apr 24, 2015

As Europe Breaks in Two, Putin Gains

By Henrik Breitenbauch

Driven by different external threats, Europe is breaking in two strategically speaking.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

In the News

Apr 24, 2015

Ward: Is Russia Destined to Dominate the Arctic?

By Alex Ward

Brent Scowcroft Center Assistant Director Alex Ward writes for The National Interest on Russia’s attempts to dominate the Arctic:

Russia

UkraineAlert

Apr 23, 2015

Is Putin’s Russia Fascist?

By Alexander J. Motyl

A growing number of Russian analysts, in Russia and abroad, have taken to calling Vladimir Putin’s regime “fascist.” And they don’t use the term casually or as a form of opprobrium. They mean that Putin’s Russia genuinely resembles Mussolini’s Italy or Hitler’s Germany.

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Apr 23, 2015

Roberts on the EU Antitrust Case Against Gazprom

By John Roberts

Quartz quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow John Roberts on the European Union’s antitrust case against Gazprom:

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 23, 2015

Gazprom, Just Follow the Law

By Richard L. Morningstar

European energy security has received a great deal of attention on both sides of the Atlantic since Russia suspended gas shipments through Ukraine in the winter of 2009. In response to Ukraine’s experience, the European Union has taken steps to develop interconnectors and new liquefied natural gas facilities that would allow gas to flow to […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

UkraineAlert

Apr 23, 2015

Russia’s Lone Warrior Stands Up to Putin

By Irena Chalupa

Ilya Ponomarev has not slept in the same bed for more than a few nights since August 2014. The two-term legislator from Russia’s third-largest city Novosibirsk has been living in exile since Russia’s lower house of parliament, the Duma, stripped him of parliamentary immunity.

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Apr 22, 2015

Letter: Experts Worry that “Decommunization” Laws Curtail Free Speech

By Atlantic Council

Editor’s note: It’s unfortunate that in a time of critical issues that legislation that disenfranchises certain, if often extreme, points of view looks like it’s going to become law. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is expected to sign four laws on “decommunization,” recently passed by Ukraine’s parliament, which enact an official version of the nation’s 20th century […]

Russia Ukraine
NATO Headquarters in Brussels, May 12, 2008

NATOSource

Apr 22, 2015

Five Ways to Reboot NATO

By James Stavridis, Politico

1. Prepare for cyber conflict…. More emphasis should be placed on operational preps for cyber conflict–not just the policy work that occurs at the NATO Cyber Center in Tallinn.

Afghanistan Cybersecurity

In the News

Apr 22, 2015

Varangis on Russia’s Aircraft Supercarrier

By Nicholas Varangis

Business Insider quotes Transatlantic Security Initiative Intern Nicholas Varangis on Russia’s plan to build an aircraft supercarrier:

Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 21, 2015

The Hidden Costs of Russia’s Proposed Aircraft Supercarrier

By Nicholas Varangis

Why is Russia planning on building an aircraft supercarrier in the next decade? The answer may seem self-evident: Russia wants to challenge the United States as a global power.

Russia

Experts

Events