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COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

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

In the News

Dec 17, 2014

Pham on Russia’s Trade Relationship with Africa

By J. Peter Pham

The International Business Times quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on Russia’s economic relationship with Africa:

Russia

UkraineAlert

Dec 17, 2014

Ruble’s Collapse Will Force Putin to Move. But Which Way?

By James Rupert

Russia’s Choice, Between Market Reforms and State Controls, May Open or Shut Doors to Détente Over Ukraine The Russian ruble’s stunning collapse this week may lead President Vladimir Putin to order changes at the country’s central bank and in his cabinet. As he does, will he tilt his government toward Russia’s market-oriented economic reformers or […]

Russia Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits anti-submarine ship Vice Admiral Kulakov, Sept. 23, 2014

NATOSource

Dec 17, 2014

Putin Orders Snap Military Drills on NATO Border

By Damien Sharkov, Newsweek

Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered snap military drills for Russian armed forces in the Baltic region to test Russia’s “battle-readiness”, a ministry of defence spokesperson told Russian news agency Interfax today.

Missile Defense Northern Europe
Geographic Reminder for Russia

NATOSource

Dec 17, 2014

German Scholars and Journalists Argue that Russian Expansionism Should Not Be Rewarded

By Paul Roderick Gregory, Forbes

[The] open letter, entitled “Secure Peace, Do Not Reward Expansionism” argues that Putin’s Russia is the clear aggressor against Ukraine, that Russia has violated past agreements in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, that Russia’s media has defamed the Ukrainian people

Germany Russia
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Dec. 15, 2014

NATOSource

Dec 16, 2014

Prime Minister Yatsenyuk: Ukraine Considering New Push for NATO Membership

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

Ukraine’s prime minister on Monday called for more NATO support to reform its military as the country’s crisis with Russia has given new life to a once abandoned effort to eventually join the U.S.-led alliance.

NATO Russia

In the News

Dec 16, 2014

Pascual on the Fall of the Ruble

By Carlos Pascual

Atlantic Council Board Director Carlos Pascual joins CNBC to discuss the recent decline of Russia’s currency: 

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Dec 16, 2014

President Obama Will Sign Congress’ Bill to Aid Ukraine: Here’s Why

By James Rupert

‘Freedom Support Act’ Authorizes, But Does Not Require, Arms Sales to Ukraine In passing its bill to boost US support for Ukraine last week, Congress left President Barack Obama largely free to decide how and when to apply its provisions – and that flexibility is one reason Obama has chosen to sign the act, even […]

Eastern Europe Russia
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Dec. 1 2014

NATOSource

Dec 15, 2014

NATO Says Russian Air Force Jets Posing Risk to Aviation in Baltic

By Reuters

NATO accused Russia of posing a danger to civil aviation in the Baltic region after Stockholm protested over a Russian air force jet it said had flown too close to an airliner and had turned off one of its location instruments.

NATO Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2014

Moldova at a Tipping Point: Four Ways the US Should Help

By Damon Wilson

Small Steps for a Small Country Could Strengthen Europe Against Russia’s Assaults In the shadow of Ukraine’s war for true independence from Russia, the small country of Moldova is entering a critical chapter of its parallel struggle. Frustrated Moldovan voters last month reelected their pro-democratic government, but also delivered a warning that concrete economic and […]

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia
Arctic Sea Ice

NATOSource

Dec 15, 2014

Denmark Claims North Pole

By Jan M. Olsen, AP

Scientific data shows Greenland’s continental shelf is connected to a ridge beneath the Arctic Ocean, giving Danes a claim to the North Pole and any potential energy resources beneath it, Denmark’s foreign minister said.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Experts