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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

In the News

Jul 17, 2014

Herbst on Increased US Pressure Against Russia

By John Herbst

The New York Times quotes Eurasia Center Director John Herbst on how the downing of a Malaysia Airlines plane may strengthen US sanctions against Russia:

Russia Ukraine
SACEUR Gen. Philip Breedlove, Feb. 17, 2011

NATOSource

Jul 17, 2014

The Meaning of Russia’s Military Campaign Against Ukraine

By Philip Breedlove, Wall Street Journal

Let’s be clear, Russia’s military actions in and around Ukraine have not been, and are not now, defensive in nature.

Cybersecurity NATO

In the News

Jul 17, 2014

Wilson on Malaysia Airlines Crash

By Damon Wilson

USA Today quotes Atlantic Council Executive Vice President Damon Wilson on the downing of a Malaysian plane near Ukraine’s border with Russia:

Russia Ukraine
President Barack Obama, Oct. 18, 2013

NATOSource

Jul 16, 2014

Obama Widens Sanctions Against Russia

By Peter Baker, New York Times

President Obama escalated sanctions against Russia on Wednesday by targeting a series of large banks and energy and defense firms in what officials described as the most punishing measures to date for Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

UkraineAlert

Jul 16, 2014

The Kremlin’s Myth About Ukraine Militias Echoes in the Baltics

By James Rupert

A Diaspora Russian Declares That 500 Pro-Kremlin Fighters Could Break Up Latvia Latvia’s government and the world’s mainstream media may have been right to publicly ignore a Latvia-born Russian named Andrey Neronsky this week when he declared that “about 500 [Donbas-style] militiamen would be enough to end the existence of Latvia as a unified state.” […]

Northern Europe Russia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Dec. 04, 2009

NATOSource

Jul 16, 2014

NATO Ramps Up Its War of Words With Russia

By Naftali Bendavid, Wall Street Journal

Russia’s comments on Ukraine are “pure fantasy,” include “ludicrous” claims, and show “either ignorance or dishonesty.” Moscow is also engaging in “misrepresentations of the facts” and “baseless attacks.”

NATO Russia

Transcript

Jul 15, 2014

Transcript: The Globalization of the Defense Industry

The Globalization of the Defense Industry Introduction:Sean O’Keefe,Board Director,Atlantic Council Moderator:Steven Grundman,M.A. and George Lund Fellow,Atlantic Council Speaker:William J. Lynn III,CEO,Finmeccanica North America and DRS Technologies Inc. Location:1030 15th Street, N.W., 12th Floor (West Tower),Washington, D.C. Time: 11:30 a.m. EDTDate: Tuesday, July 8, 2014 Transcript byFederal News ServiceWashington, D.C.

Russia

UkraineAlert

Jul 14, 2014

After the West’s Retreat on Sanctions: Putin, Tanks & Missiles Escalate the War on Ukraine

By James Rupert

Kyiv Government and Local Residents Report New Tanks From Russia Entering the Fight A week after the European Union backed away from its vow to impose broad economic sanctions on Russia over the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, the government of President Vladimir Putin has intensified the assault. Ukraine’s government and independent reports say Russia has […]

Russia Ukraine
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, July 2, 2014

NATOSource

Jul 14, 2014

Rasmussen: If Attacked, NATO Members ‘Can Count on the Aid of All Other 27’ Allies

By Spiegel

Excerpts from interview of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen by Christiane Hoffmann and Christoph Schult, Spiegel.

Germany NATO
Mistral class warship off Lebanon, March 17, 2012

NATOSource

Jul 14, 2014

Will France’s Mistral Warships Make Russia a Naval Threat?

By Matthew Bodner, Moscow Times

With the first of two French-built Mistral class amphibious assault carriers set to be delivered to the Russian Navy in October, France is handing Russia the keys to one of the world’s most advanced warships

France NATO

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