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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

French warship Mistral (L9013)

NATOSource

Nov 7, 2014

Congressional Leaders Renew Call for NATO to Purchase French Warships Intended for Russia

By Eliot Engel, Mike Rogers, Mike Turner, Bill Keating, Steve Cohen, Gerry Connolly, Steve Chabot, and Jim Gerlach

Text of congressional letter sent to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

France NATO
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, Oct. 20, 2014

NATOSource

Nov 7, 2014

Finland and Sweden Reject Common Approach to NATO Membership

By Gerard O'Dwyer, Defense News

Sweden and Finland, currently engaged in bilateral defense cooperation talks, have no plans to jointly attempt to join NATO.

NATO NATO Partnerships

UkraineAlert

Nov 7, 2014

For Putin, Ukraine’s Elections Backfired. So the War Is On Again.

By James Rupert

Analysts: Moscow Fights Now with Mercenaries and Local Trainees, But in 20 Weeks May Again Send Its Own Troops The Russian-Ukrainian conflict in southeastern Ukraine is sliding back quickly into all-out war. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said this morning that its forces have killed 200 separatist fighters and destroyed four tanks, plus artillery in the past […]

Eastern Europe Russia

In the News

Nov 6, 2014

Koranyi: “There is a Pro-Russian Shift in Hungarian Energy Policy”

By David Koranyi

Foreign Policy quotes Eurasian Energy Future Initiative Director David Koranyi on Hungary’s relationship with Russia with particular regards to its energy policy:

Hungary Russia
French Mistral, Tonnerre (L9014)

NATOSource

Nov 6, 2014

French-Built Mistral Ships For Russia Could End Up In Canadian Hands

By Christopher Harress, International Business Times

The Canadian military has emerged as a potential destination for the controversial French-built Mistral helicopter carrier ships, built for Russia and now at the center of an international row

France Russia

UkraineAlert

Nov 6, 2014

Ukraine’s Need for Fast Reform Means Government Has No Time for Infighting

By Sabine Freizer

Poroshenko and Yatsenyuk Must Cut Short Their Recent Signs of Rivalry As Ukraine’s new leading political parties renew their talks today, they can waste no time in forming the government that now must grapple with a financial emergency, economic crisis, and war in the east. They must avoid acrimony or drawn-out negotiations, yet some signs […]

Russia Ukraine
Portuguese Defense Minister Jose Pedro Aguiar Branco, Sept. 20, 2011

NATOSource

Nov 6, 2014

Portugal Escorts Russian Ship From Its Waters

By AFP and BBC

From AFP:  The Portugese Navy escorted a Russian oceanographic ship out of its waters Wednesday in response to the latest in a series of territorial incursions by a Russian vessel or plane.

NATO Northern Europe
Ruins of Donetsk Airport, Oct. 16, 2014

NATOSource

Nov 5, 2014

Mr. Putin Resumes His Chipping Away at Ukraine

By Editorial Board, Washington Post

It’s not hard to guess what Mr. Putin has in mind. As it stands, the Donetsk-Luhansk ministates are not easily sustained; they lack a port, power supplies and access to the region’s principal airport.

Europe & Eurasia Russia
MQ-9 Reaper armed UAV

NATOSource

Nov 5, 2014

Poland To Buy Armed Drones Amid Ukraine Crisis

By AFP

NATO member Poland said Tuesday it will acquire combat drones as part of a multi-billion-euro revamp of its armed forces amid heightened tensions with Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis.

Poland Russia

In the News

Nov 5, 2014

Karatnycky on Separatist Elections in Ukraine

By Adrian Karatnycky

Transatlantic Relations Program Nonresident Senior Fellow Adrian Karatnycky joins Wall Street Journal Live to discuss the separatist elections in Ukraine and the calculations of Russian President Vladimir Putin:

Russia Ukraine

Experts