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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

US Patriot missile battery in Turkey, February 4, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 25, 2014

NATO Debates Directing Missile Shield Against Russia

By Spiegel and RIA Novosti

From Spiegel:  NATO officials are considering deploying a long-planned missile defense system — aimed at protecting Europe from attacks from the Middle East — against Russia as well, SPIEGEL has learned.

Germany Missile Defense

In the News

Aug 25, 2014

Hansen: Defining Victory in Ukraine

By Ian Hansen

Atlantic Council Program Assistant Ian Hansen writes for New Eastern Europe on why the cycle of violence and chaos in Ukraine is likely to continue unless the country defines what victory looks like: 

Russia Ukraine
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, December 4, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 22, 2014

NATO Warns of Russia Moving Artillery Units and Special Forces Into Ukraine

By NATO and New York Times

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  I condemn the entry of a Russian so-called humanitarian convoy into Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian authorities and without any involvement of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

NATO Russia
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Oct. 22, 2010

NATOSource

Aug 21, 2014

Special Summit Series: Germany and NATO

By Robin Allers

At NATO’s summit in Cardiff, Wales, Germany will be at the center of attention. Not because allies expect bold initiatives or major policy changes from Berlin, but because of Germany’s role as Europe’s undisputed leader.

Afghanistan Germany

In the News

Aug 21, 2014

Chrismer on Russia’s Black Market

By Andrew Chrismer

Global Business & Economics Program Assistant Director Andrew Chrismer writes for the Huffington Post on the necessity of targeting the Russian black market. 

Russia Ukraine
Russian destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov

NATOSource

Aug 20, 2014

Russia Vows to Strengthen Navy to Ward Off NATO

By Dmitry Zaks, AFP

Russia announced plans Tuesday to bolster its navy with more advanced weapons in response to NATO’s vow to halt the Kremlin’s push into Ukraine and feared expansion into eastern Europe.

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Aug 19, 2014

In Nagorno-Karabakh, an Old Caucasus War Flares Anew

By Sabine Freizer

Deadliest Fighting in 20 Years is Encouraged by Crisis in Ukraine The often-forgotten conflict between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh has flared this summer into the worst violence since a 1994 truce, killing at least eighteen soldiers in recent weeks. The surge in fighting not only shows that renewed, all-out warfare is a danger; […]

Russia The Caucasus
Baltic presidents with Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nov. 6, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 19, 2014

Special Summit Series: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and NATO

By Pauli Järvenpää

For the Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the 2014 NATO Wales Summit marks a pivotal moment in the history of the Alliance.

International Security Assistance Force NATO

In the News

Aug 19, 2014

Koranyi on Putin’s Achilles’ Heel

By David Koranyi

Eurasia Center Deputy Director David Koranyi writes for the Huffington Post on how to make the West’s sanctions more effective against Russia: 

Russia Ukraine
NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Philip Breedlove in Canada, May 6, 2014

NATOSource

Aug 18, 2014

NATO Would Respond Militarily to ‘Little Green Men’

By Michelle Martin and Adrian Croft, Reuters

If Russia tries to infiltrate troops into a NATO country, even out of official military uniform as it did before it annexed Ukraine’s Crimea, NATO will respond militarily, the alliance’s top commander said in an interview published on Sunday.

NATO Russia

Experts