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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.

Content

UkraineAlert

Dec 19, 2014

Putin Leaves All Options Open on Economic Crisis and Ukraine War

By James Rupert

Pascual: As Russia Faces Economic Downturn, West Should Probe Kremlin on Chances of a Merkel-Brokered Deal In his annual press conference this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered no clear suggestion for how he proposes to dig Russia out of its deepening economic hole. And he signaled no new direction in government’s sponsorship of the […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Dec 19, 2014

Menon: Ukraine Should Put Russia to the Test

By Rajan Menon

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Rajan Menon cowrites for the Los Angeles Times on what the declining Russian economy could mean for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine: 

Russia Ukraine
Russian sailors in front of the Mistral-class helicopter carrier Vladivostok, Nov. 25, 2014

NATOSource

Dec 19, 2014

Russian Sailors Leaving France Without Mistral Warship

By Sylvie Corbet and Angela Charlton, AP

Hundreds of Russian sailors pulled out of a French port Thursday, bearing perfumes for their loved ones but lacking the controversial bounty they came for: a 1-billion-euro, French-built warship

France NATO

Emerging Defense Challenges

Dec 18, 2014

Securing Operations Superiority Through Defense Innovation: A UK Perspective

By Brent Scowcroft Center

On Wednesday December 17, 2014, the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security welcomed Philip Dunne MP, minister for defense, equipment, support and technology, for his speech titled “Securing Operational Superiority through Defense Innovation: A UK Perspective.” This Defense-Industrial Policy Series event, cohosted with the National Defense Industrial Association, was moderated by Steven Grundman, the M.A. […]

Russia

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

Experts