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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.

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

UkraineAlert

Sep 15, 2014

Ukraine’s President Seeks Urgent US Help to Defend against Russian Aggression

By John E. Herbst

Petro Poroshenko Will Ask Congress’ Support in Getting US Weapons President Petro Poroshenko arrives in Washington this week at the most perilous moment in the history of independent Ukraine. After the Kremlin’s months of attacking Ukraine with its proxy militias, it directly invaded southeast Ukraine last month with thousands of regular Russian army troops, thus […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Sep 11, 2014

Mariupol: Russia’s Next Target in Ukraine War?

A Strategic City Prepares Its Defense; But if Truce Fails, Its Fate Will be Uncertain Amid the war between Russia and Ukraine, no city is watching the viability of the fragile cease-fire with more apprehension than Ukraine’s second-largest seaport, Mariupol. That is because the city, home to steel mills and, normally, a half-million residents, will […]

Russia Ukraine
Russian Tu-95 Bear bomber

NATOSource

Sep 10, 2014

Russian Bombers Practice Cruise Missile Strikes on US During NATO Summit

By Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon

Two Russian strategic bombers conducted practice cruise missile attacks on the United States during a training mission last week that defense officials say appeared timed to the NATO summit in Wales.

NATO Russia

UkraineAlert

Sep 10, 2014

The Turning Point

By Timothy Ash

Inaction by US and NATO to Russia’s August Incursion Showed Putin He Could Invade Ukraine History books to be written about the Ukraine crisis and the Battle for Donbas will likely record as a military turning point the battle on September 5 for the town of Ilovaisk. A massive, pinpoint-accurate artillery barrage, using high-tech reconnaissance […]

Russia Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Sept. 6, 2014

NATOSource

Sep 10, 2014

Putin Says Russia Will Keep Building Military Power

By David M. Herszenhorn, New York Times

Russia will continue to build up its military might with large-scale weapons purchases in order to meet any threat, particularly from the United States and NATO, President Vladimir V. Putin said on Wednesday.

Missile Defense NATO
Ukraine is a NATO partner

NATOSource

Sep 9, 2014

Debate: Should NATO Defend Ukraine?

By New York Times

The New York Times asked seven experts; Should NATO be helping Ukraine face Russia?

NATO NATO Partnerships

In the News

Sep 9, 2014

Manning: “Moscow [Wants to Be a] Force in the Pacific”

By Robert Manning

Stars and Stripes quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Robert Manning on Russian involvement in the north Pacific Ocean:

Russia

UkraineAlert

Sep 8, 2014

Russian Court Orders Ukrainian Pilot-Soldier to Undergo Psychiatric Evaluation

Nadiya Savchenko Will Refuse to Submit to ‘Illegal’ Exam, Her Lawyer Says A Russian court has sent Ukrainian soldier and pilot Nadiya Savchenko for a “forensic psychiatric evaluation” at the Moscow institute where Soviet authorities for years performed abusive treatments on political dissidents. Savchenko says she will refuse to submit to the examination, which she […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Sep 8, 2014

Ukraine, Facing Russia on Its Own, Takes the Risk of Truce and Compromise With Moscow

By James Rupert

A Cease-Fire, if It Holds, Could Let the Kremlin Strengthen Its Grip on the Donbas Region When Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko attended the NATO Summit on Friday, it was clear that the Alliance had chosen not to offer his country the weapons it needs to fight the Russian troops and paramilitaries who have invaded his […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Sep 7, 2014

Karatnycky on Tensions Amid Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire

By Adrian Karatnycky

The New York Times quotes Transatlantic Relations Program Nonresident Senior Fellow Adrian Karatnycky on the ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine:

Russia Ukraine

Experts