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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

Secretary General Anderss Fog Rasmussen, Nov. 6, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 1, 2014

Five Long-Term Challenges for NATO Beyond the Ukraine Crisis

By Karl-Heinz Kamp, NATO Defense College

NATO needs to find consensus on at least five questions which go far beyond the current crisis in Ukraine.

Afghanistan Libya

In the News

Aug 1, 2014

Brattberg: Europe’s Real Test

By Erik Brattberg

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Fellow Erik Brattberg writes for US News and World Report on how Europe must maintain pressure on Russia after a new round of EU sanctions:

European Union International Organizations
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Oct., 11, 2013

Europe After The Vote

Aug 1, 2014

Special Summit Series: Greece and NATO

By Constantine A. Pagedas

Within its first few years of existence, NATO experienced its initial wave of expansion in 1952 when Greece and Turkey joined the alliance.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
Danish soldiers training in Germany, July 04, 2014

NATOSource

Jul 31, 2014

Denmark to Play Key Role in NATO’s Russia Plans

By Local (Denmark)

Danish troops will play a “significant” role in Nato’s response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, Politiken reported on Thursday.

Germany NATO
Member of Donbass militia, June 2, 2014

NATOSource

Jul 31, 2014

NATO has to Prepare to Contain the Chaos at Europe’s Edge

By Rory Stewart, Financial Times

[N]ow the ungoverned space is on the edge of Europe and the insurgents are being supported by a country with some of the world’s most sophisticated military equipment and most effective intelligence services.

Central Asia Moldova

UkraineAlert

Jul 31, 2014

From Lugansk to Las Vegas: The Corrupt Empire of Oleksander Yefremov

By Irena Chalupa

How a Ukrainian Boss and His Political Machine Have Helped Russia’s Attack on Ukraine Oleksander Yefremov, a boyish-looking sixty-year-old, is one of eastern Ukraine’s most prominent politicians and businessmen. For over a decade, he has been the corrupt strongman of Lugansk, one of the two provinces where Russia’s government and military have been sponsoring the […]

Russia Ukraine
Soldier with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Feb. 25, 2014

NATOSource

Jul 31, 2014

British Defense Committee Finds NATO ‘Poorly Prepared’ to Defend Members From Russian Threat

By House of Commons Defense Committee

Our conclusion is that NATO is currently not well-prepared for a Russian threat against a NATO Member State.

NATO Russia

Event Recap

Jul 31, 2014

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister: Kremlin Should ‘Take Back … Mercenaries’ Driving the Ukraine War

By James Rupert

Pavlo Klimkin, in Washington Visit, Speaks at Atlantic Council Forum Ukraine’s government is ready to negotiate new political powers for local governments in southeastern Ukraine, but such a settlement will require first that Russia remove both the leaders and the mercenary fighters of the separatist militias that it has created there, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister […]

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2014

Europe’s New Sanctions: a ‘Game Changer’ in Pressing Kremlin on Ukraine, Burwell Says

By James Rupert

EU’s Economic Ties to Russia Slow its Pace, But New Steps Show Unity With US This week’s European sanctions on Russia are “a game-changer” in applying the European Union’s first restrictions on a relatively broad sector of trade, says the Atlantic Council’s Fran Burwell. While the sanctions are shaped to avoid directly damaging key European […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Jul 30, 2014

Hansen: Europe’s Step in the Right Direction

By Ian Hansen

Atlantic Council Program Assistant Ian Hansen writes for US News and World Report on why the EU action against Russia must go beyond sanctions:

European Union International Organizations

Experts