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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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SACEUR Gen. Philip Breedlove, June 30, 2014

NATOSource

Jan 13, 2015

NATO Military Commander: Fighting Has Resumed in Eastern Ukraine

By Henry Foy, Financial Times

Nato’s top general has noted a “fairly important uptick” in fighting in eastern Ukraine in recent days, casting doubts over whether the cease-fire between the Kiev government and Moscow-backed separatists can survive.

NATO Russia

Article

Jan 10, 2015

What Might the Kremlin’s Setback Bring in 2015?

By Elizabeth Pond

Economics Have Stalled Putin, But He Often Answers Reversals with Military Threats In the Ukraine crisis, soft economic power last month trumped hard military power for the first time. The threatened meltdown of the Russian economy could push Russian President Vladimir Putin to dial down his undeclared war on Ukraine in return for some easing […]

Eastern Europe Russia
Leaders of Italy, Ukraine, USA, UK, Germany, and Italy at the NATO Summit in Wales, Sept. 9, 2014

NATOSource

Jan 9, 2015

The Crisis in the West is Deeper than the Dismemberment of Ukraine

By Eliot Cohen, American Interest

It does not matter whether Khrushchev was wise in giving the Crimea to Ukraine in 1954, or how it came to be that eastern Ukraine is largely populated by native Russian speakers.

Europe & Eurasia NATO
HMS Ambush, July 15, 2013

NATOSource

Jan 9, 2015

Britain Again Forced to Ask US For Help in Tracking ‘Russian Submarine’

By Victoria Ward, Telegraph

The Ministry of Defence has again been forced to call for US military assistance to help track a suspected Russian submarine spotted off the Scottish coast.

Russia United Kingdom

UkraineAlert

Jan 9, 2015

What the Kremlin’s Setback May Mean

By Elizabeth Pond

Economics Have Stalled Putin, But He Often Answers Reversals With Military Threats In the Ukraine crisis, soft economic power last month trumped hard military power for the first time. The threatened meltdown of the Russian economy could push Russian President Vladimir Putin to dial down his undeclared war on Ukraine in return for some easing […]

Eastern Europe Russia
Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, Oct. 14, 2014

NATOSource

Jan 8, 2015

Poland to Seek NATO Response to Russia’s Military Exercises

By Wiktor Szary and Pawel Sobczak, Reuters

Poland expects the NATO alliance to step up its military exercises around the Baltic Sea after a flurry of activity by Russian warships and jet fighters in the area last month, Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak told Reuters in an interview.

NATO Poland
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Oct. 1, 2014

NATOSource

Jan 7, 2015

Putin Signs New Military Doctrine Naming NATO as Russia’s Top Threat

By AP and Reuters

From Vladimir Isachenkov, AP:  Russia identified NATO as the nation’s No. 1 military threat and raised the possibility of a broader use of precision conventional weapons to deter foreign aggression under a new military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on Friday [Dec. 26, 2014].

Europe & Eurasia NATO
Russian Akula class submarine, June 3, 2008

NATOSource

Jan 6, 2015

US Concerned About Russian Submarines with Nuclear Armed Cruise Missiles Near Washington

By Guardian and Foreign Policy

From Julian Borger, Guardian:  A widening rift between Moscow and Washington over cruise missiles and increasingly daring patrols by nuclear-capable Russian submarines threatens to end an era of arms control

Nuclear Nonproliferation Russia
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Dec. 2, 2014

NATOSource

Jan 6, 2015

NATO’s Priority in 2015: Setting Up Reaction Force in Europe

By John-Thor Dahlburg, AP

Leaving combat operations in Afghanistan behind, NATO is shifting its focus to Europe in 2015 and the creation of its new ultra-rapid-reaction force, designed as a deterrent to Russia.

NATO Russia

UkraineAlert

Jan 6, 2015

Ukraine’s Crisis in 2015: What to Expect

By New Atlanticist

Donbas War Will Last All Year; May Be Settled With Early Parliament Election, Mefford Writes How predictable is Ukraine’s coming year, given its financial crisis, its untested new government and, above all, its war against Russia and its proxy forces in the southeastern region of Donbas? Not very predictable, notes the Atlantic Council’s Kyiv-based senior […]

Eastern Europe Russia

Experts