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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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Ukrainian armored unit, Jan, 3, 2015

NATOSource

Feb 12, 2015

Mearsheimer: Don’t Arm Ukraine

By John J. Mearsheimer, New York Times

Sending weapons to Ukraine will not rescue its army and will instead lead to an escalation in the fighting. Such a step is especially dangerous because Russia has thousands of nuclear weapons and is seeking to defend a vital strategic interest.

Germany NATO
Ash Carter testifying to Senate Armed Services Committee, Feb. 4, 2015

NATOSource

Feb 12, 2015

Ash Carter’s Priorities for NATO

By John T. Bennett and Paul McLeary, Defense News

The United States and NATO should reject Russian assertions that Moscow is entitled to a “sphere of influence” in Eastern Europe — and build militaries capable of handling “any opponent,” said the nominee to be the next US defense secretary.

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 12, 2015

A ‘Glimmer of Hope’ in Ukraine?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

A new deal that would end the fighting between Ukrainian security forces and Russian-backed separatists is being met with skepticism amid an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. “This is essentially the same ceasefire that failed before, so I expect the same issues to arise: Kyiv’s control of the border, lack of removal of […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Feb 12, 2015

Montanino on the Greek Financial Situation

By Andrea Montanino

Italian-language newspaper Quotidiano Nazionale quotes Global Business and Economics Program Director Andrea Montanino on the Greek situation and the risk that Greece ends up in the hand of Russia:

Greece Russia

MENASource

Feb 11, 2015

Putin’s Visit to Egypt: Much Pomp but Little Circumstance

By Mark N. Katz

Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a widely publicized visit to Egypt from February 9 to 10.   The government-backed Egyptian press gushed over how well Russia (unlike America) treats the Egyptian government.  Some commentary in the Russian press proclaimed the visit to be another sign that Russia was gaining influence in the Middle East while America […]

North Africa Russia

Article

Feb 11, 2015

Rearticulating NATO’s Strategy Toward Georgia

By Mariam Tirkia

Hillary Rodham Clinton’s remark that the NATO summit in Chicago in 2012 should be “the last summit that is not an enlargement [one]” raised expectations in Georgia that were already quite high. Georgia is seeking the elusive Membership Action Plan (MAP), which is NATO’s program of advice, assistance, and practical support tailored to the individual […]

NATO Russia
Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Oct. 17, 2012

NATOSource

Feb 10, 2015

Putin Security Aide Warns US Over Arms For Ukraine

By Kathrin Hille, Financial Times

A key security adviser to Russian president Vladimir Putin has accused the US of seeking to drag Russia directly into war in Ukraine through a possible plan to arm Kiev, underlining the seriousness with which Moscow would greet such a move.

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation

UkraineAlert

Feb 10, 2015

Obama-Merkel Accord Delays Talk of Arms for Ukraine’s Defense Against Russia

By John E. Herbst

Europe Signals New Negotiation With Kremlin Will Not Include New Pressures on Kyiv The Obama-Merkel summit was critical for maintaining Transatlantic unity in the face of Moscow’s escalating aggression in Ukraine. While skeptical of the Kremlin’s intentions, German Chancellor Angela Merkel would like to try another round of diplomacy to stop the fighting. That is why […]

Europe & Eurasia Germany
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dec. 4, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 9, 2015

Russia’s Nuclear Strategy Raises Concerns in NATO

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

Concern is growing in NATO over Russia’s nuclear strategy and indications that Russian military planners may be lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons in any conflict, alliance diplomats say.

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation

Event Recap

Feb 9, 2015

The Ukraine Crisis: Withstand and Deter Russian Aggression

By Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center

The Atlantic Council hosted a panel discussion on February 2 to introduce a report produced in collaboration with Brookings Institution and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The report, Preserving Ukraine’s Independence, Resisting Russian Aggression: What the United States and NATO Must Do, notes that the US must provide lethal defensive military assistance to raise […]

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Experts

Events