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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.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, June 26, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 26, 2014

Most Germans Oppose Permanent NATO Base in Poland and Baltics: Poll

By Stephen Brown; Reuters

Nearly three quarters of Germans would oppose NATO having permanent NATO military bases in eastern Europe as requested by Poland and the Baltic states because of a perceived threat from Russia, according to a new poll released on Wednesday.

Germany NATO

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2014

Call it Terrorism: The Unacknowledged Tactic of the Russian-Led Insurgency in Ukraine’s East

By John E. Herbst

Once the Kremlin  seized and “annexed” Crimea in late March, it began a campaign designed at a minimum to destabilize Eastern Ukraine.  While we cannot know for sure what Mr. Putin’s maximalist goal is, it includes, at least, establishing an autonomous southeastern Ukraine sensitive to Moscow’s interests. The Kremlin, however, badly miscalculated.  It acted as […]

Russia Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin, April 28, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 26, 2014

Why Expanding NATO would Deter Russia, Stabilize Europe

By Tomas Valasek and Damon Wilson, CNN GPS

At a time when NATO is facing a period of tensions and confrontation along its borders, does enlargement help or hurt the Alliance?

NATO NATO Partnerships
Meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, June 25, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 26, 2014

NATO Creating Multiple Trust Funds to Strengthen Ukraine’s Defense Capabilities

By NATO

NATO Foreign Ministers on Wednesday (25 June 2014) agreed on plans to develop a robust Alliance Readiness Action Plan for the Alliance’s Summit in Wales this September and endorsed a package of support measure to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.

NATO NATO Partnerships

In the News

Jun 26, 2014

Brzezinski: Putin’s Goal is to Reassert Russian Hegemony Over Ukraine

By Ian Brzezinski

CNBC qutoes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow Ian Brzezinski on the draft law submitted by Ukraine’s president to parliament  suggesting that the country drastically change its gas storage and transportation system:

Russia Ukraine
Secretary of State John Kerry after meeting of NATO foreign ministers, June 25, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 25, 2014

Kerry Tells NATO Allies to ‘Dig Deeper’ and Improve Defense Spending

By John Kerry, Department of State

[T[oday, we had a chance to take stock of the strong measures that have been taken in order to provide reassurance to our eastern allies on the land, on sea, and air, and we’ve taken measures that demonstrate that our Article 5 commitment is absolutely rock solid.

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2014

NATO Response on New-Member Applications May Impact Ukraine

By New Atlanticist

‘Enlargement contributes to security because it leads to more predictable relations with Russia’ NATO is again deciding how to respond to Eastern European nations’ requests to join the alliance, this in the face of opposition from Russia that has been underscored this year by President Vladimir Putin’s attacks on Ukraine. NATO foreign ministers are meeting […]

NATO Russia

In the News

Jun 25, 2014

Wilson on the Importance of NATO Expansion

By Damon Wilson

Atlantic Council Executive Vice President Damon Wilson cowrites for CNN’s Global Public Square on why expanding NATO would be a deterrent for Russia and stabilize Europe as a whole:

NATO Russia
About a dozen of NATO's 28 members reluctant to see Georgia join alliance

NATOSource

Jun 24, 2014

NATO Unlikely to Grant Georgia Step to Membership-Diplomats

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

NATO countries, wary of antagonising Russia, are unlikely to grant former Soviet republic Georgia a formal step towards membership of the alliance at a summit in September, NATO diplomats say.

France Germany

In the News

Jun 24, 2014

Karatnycky on Putin’s Statements on Eastern Ukraine

By Adrian Karatnycky

Transatlantic Relations Program Senior Fellow Adrian Karatnycky joins MSNBC’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell to discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to stop arming rebels in Ukraine:

Russia Ukraine

Experts

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