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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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Event Recap

Feb 23, 2015

The Fall of Debaltseve: Implications for European Security

By Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center

On Friday, February 20, the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center hosted a conference call on recent developments in Ukraine with retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and current Atlantic Council Board member.

NATO Russia

In the News

Feb 23, 2015

Herbst: “The Kremlin has Turned Russia into the Principal National Security Danger Globally”

By John Herbst

The National Journal quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John Herbst on the crisis in Ukraine, big power politics, and Russia’s national security threat:

Russia Ukraine
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Feb. 22, 2013

NATOSource

Feb 20, 2015

Leon Panetta: You Have To Deal with the Russians from Strength

By Spiegel

Excerpts from interview of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta by Markus Feldenkirchen and Holger Stark of Spiegel, February 14, 2015.

Germany Intelligence
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dec. 8, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 19, 2015

Putin a Threat to Baltic States, Western Officials Say

By Andrew Osborn, Reuters

Senior Western officials accused Russia on Thursday of redrawing the map of Europe by force and posing a threat to the Baltic states.

NATO Northern Europe
British Defense Minister Michael Fallon, Aug. 16, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 19, 2015

Putin Will Target Baltic Republics Next, UK Defense Minister Warns

By Ben Farmer, Telegraph

There is a “real and present danger” that Vladimir Putin will launch a campaign of undercover attacks to destabilise the Baltic states on Nato’s eastern flank, the Defence Secretary has warned.

NATO Northern Europe

Article

Feb 19, 2015

Winning the generational struggle with Putin

By Nicholas Burns

HE INVADED Crimea a year ago and then formally annexed it in a brazen, illegal act of aggression not seen in Europe since the Second World War. He sent thousands of Russian soldiers across the border to tilt the balance of Ukraine’s civil war in favor of pro-Moscow separatists and then refused to own up […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Feb 19, 2015

Karatnycky: Making the Most of Minsk

By Adrian Karatnycky

Transatlantic Relations Program Nonresident Senior Fellow Adrian Karatnycky writes for The New York Times on why the Minsk agreement is deeply flawed and what the West needs to do to respond to Putin’s strategy:

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Feb 18, 2015

Brzezinski on Russian Sanctions

By Ian Brzezinski

CNBC quotes Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Ian Brzezinski on why the new Russian sanctions are simply symbolic: 

Russia

UkraineAlert

Feb 18, 2015

Amid the ‘Cease-Fire,’ Russian Forces Win a Battle in Ukraine

By New Atlanticist

Kyiv Forced into New Retreat; US, Europe Must Increase Support, Atlantic Council Analysts Say At midday February 18, three-and-a-half days beyond the designated hour for a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, fighting was continuing in the strategic city of Debaltseve, where Russian forces continue to pound a nearly surrounded Ukrainian contingent that may still number in […]

Eastern Europe Russia

In the News

Feb 17, 2015

Karatnycky: “We’re Dealing with a Battle for the Heart and Soul of Russia”

By Adrian Karatnycky

The AP quotes Transatlantic Relations Program Nonresident Senior Fellow Adrian Karatnycky on the fighting in Debaltseve and why the fight in Ukraine demonstrates a change in Russian values:

Russia Ukraine

Experts