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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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Russian missile in Moscow Victory Day Parade

NATOSource

Jun 2, 2014

Russia Announces Live Fire Missile Exercise During Obama Visit to Poland

By ITAR-TASS, RIA Novosti. and RT

From ITAR-TASS:  Russian military forces will hold live fire drills of missile systems Iskander-M and will test-launch missiles from bombers within the war games planned in missile formations in the Western Military District

Missile Defense Poland
Ukrainians hold flags and signs bearing their latest concerns as they gather in a veche (people’s assembly) at Maidan Nezalezhnosti on Sunday, June 1. The meeting was the latest in a long public debate over the future of the Maidan movement that toppled the corrupt presidency of Viktor Yanukovych in February. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Article

Jun 1, 2014

Ukraine and the Logic of Civil Resistance: Confronting Russian-Fueled Insurgency

By Maciej Bartkowski and Maria J. Stephan

As Ukraine and its supporters consider how the country can best confront Russia’s violent aggression, two scholars focus on non-violent resistance. Here, they explore some lessons of history that suggest how Ukraine might non-violently defend its unity and independence. See their companion article, which notes that Ukraine’s EuroMaidan movement (as well as the Orange Revolution […]

Russia Ukraine
Kyiv's Maidan movement presses its demands last winter for rule of law, an end to official corruption, and closer relations with the European Union. (CC License)

Article

Jun 1, 2014

How Ukraine Ousted an Autocrat: The Logic of Civil Resistance

By Maciej Bartkowski and Maria J. Stephan

As Ukraine and its supporters consider how the country can best confront Russia’s violent aggression, two scholars focus on non-violent resistance. They write that the EuroMaidan movement and the Orange Revolution of 2004 show the Ukrainians’ ability to force change with this approach. A companion article notes lessons of history that suggest how Ukraine might […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

May 31, 2014

Chalupa on the Efficacy of Vladimir Putin

By Irena Chalupa

The New York Times quotes the Atlantic Council’s Irena Chalupa in a piece on how recent international actions against Russia have not deterred President Vladimir Putin’s designs in the region:

Russia Ukraine
A fighter with the pro-Russian "Vostok Battalion" aims a sniper rifle at the Donetsk provincial government headquarters in Ukraine after the unit took control of it from other pro-Russian separatists on May 29. Chechen fighters from Russia told reporters in the city they arrived recently to join the Vostok unit. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

New Atlanticist

May 30, 2014

Russia Allows – or Organizes – Chechen Fighters to Reinforce the Secessionist War in Ukraine

By James Rupert

Chechen Militiamen Talk to Western Journalists About Their Mission It’s clear this week that Russian government is allowing or actively organizing an unknown number of battle-hardened Russian fighters from Chechnya and nearby regions to reinforce the Russian-led militias battling to seize control of two provinces in southeastern Ukraine. The entry of fighters from Russia’s North […]

Russia Ukraine
French Mistral, Tonnerre (L9014)

NATOSource

May 30, 2014

France Might Withhold 2nd Mistral Ship From Russia

By Pierre Tran, Defense News

French defense officials are exploring ideas to avoid delivering a second helicopter carrier to Russia, including looking for an alternative client for the Sevastopol, analysts and an industry executive said.

France Russia

In the News

May 30, 2014

Brzezinski: Ukrainian Crisis is “Not a Blip”

By Ian Brzezinski

CTV, Canadian Television, interviews Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security’s Senior Fellow Ian Brzezinski on whether Russia’s current actions are an aberration or a trend, and where the West might look for future flashpoints of agression. Watch the interview here.

Russia Ukraine
Congressman Eliot L. Engel

NATOSource

May 30, 2014

Congressional Leaders Urge NATO to Purchase French Warships Intended for Russia

By Eliot L. Engel, Michael Turner, and William R. Keating

Text of letter to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen from US lawmakers.

France NATO

In the News

May 30, 2014

Brzezinski on Russian Reconciliation with the West

By Ian Brzezinski

Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Ian Brzezinski joins CTV to discuss whether Russia will reconcile with the West given the crisis in Ukraine: Watch the full interview here.

Russia
Journalists work in the newsrom at Russia's LIfe News TV channel. (CC License)

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2014

Kremlin Awards Medals for Courage (and Pension Bonuses) to Russian Journalists Who Cover Ukraine ‘Objectively’

By Irena Chalupa

An essential asset in the Kremlin’s not-quite-covert sponsorship of the secessionist warfare in southeast Ukraine has been its ability to use Russia’s mass media to shape the story for populations at home in Russia and in much of the former Soviet Union. President Vladimir Putin signaled the importance of this propaganda war this week in […]

Russia Ukraine

Experts