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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

May 22, 2014

Brzezinski on Modernizing Russia’s Military

By Ian Brzezinski

Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Ian Brzezinski is quoted in the Economist on Russia’s military modernization:

Russia

New Atlanticist

May 22, 2014

Damon Wilson: Ukraine Election Could Be ‘Significant Step Forward’

By New Atlanticist

As Ukraine prepares to elect a president May 25, it’s important to remember that the country, despite its political difficulties of recent years, has established a track record of holding credible nationwide elections, Atlantic Council Executive Vice President Damon Wilson said in a video interview. Sunday’s vote faces the particular challenges of the Russian-backed secessionist […]

Russia Ukraine
Gen. Martin Dempsey at NATO HQ for meeting of CHoDs, May 21, 2014

NATOSource

May 22, 2014

NATO: Russia’s Moves Have Changed Europe, the World

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

Russia’s annexation of Crimea and threats to southern and eastern Ukraine has made the world a different place, a senior NATO military official said.

NATO Russia
Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Gen. Knud Bartels, May 22, 2014

NATOSource

May 22, 2014

NATO’s Credibility and Deterrence Dependent on Deployable Forces

By Knud Bartels, NATO

Our view is that the global security situation is becoming increasingly unpredictable, unstable and interconnected, as demonstrated by the unilateral change of borders under use of force and the following unrest in Ukraine.

NATO NATO Partnerships
Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, May 14, 2014

NATOSource

May 22, 2014

Dempsey to Urge NATO Chiefs to Step Up Mediterranean Security

By Marcus Weisgerber, Navy Times

America’s top general plans to push his NATO counterparts to increase security contributions in southern Europe along the Mediterranean at a meeting of the alliance’s uniformed leaders this week.

NATO North Africa

In the News

May 22, 2014

Hof on US Failure in Syria

By Frederic Hof

The Christian Science Monitor quotes Resident Senior Fellow in the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Frederic Hof on how US-Russia relations impact crises such as Syria and Ukraine:

Russia Syria
Aleksandr Borodai, a Russian nationalist militant from Moscow, speaks to reporters last week as the "prime minister" of the secessionist republic he wants to establish in Ukraine's Donetsk province.

New Atlanticist

May 22, 2014

A Ukraine Secessionist from Moscow Builds Greater Russia, One Province at a Time

By Irena Chalupa

Alexander Borodai Helped the Kremlin Seize Crimea; Now He’s ‘Prime Minister’ of Donetsk As leaders of the secessionist uprising in Ukraine’s Donetsk province go public this month, they turn out to be from Moscow, not Donetsk. Alexander Borodai, named last week as the “prime minister” of the Donetsk People’s Republic, is not only Muscovite, he’s […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

May 21, 2014

Carstei on Russia-China Gas Deal

By Mihaela Carstei

Mihaela Carstei, acting director of the Atlantic Council Energy and Environment Program, joins Al Jazeera English to discuss the recently announced energy deal between Russia and China:

China Energy & Environment
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arsenii Yatseniuk and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

NATOSource

May 21, 2014

NATO After Ukraine

By Bogdan Klich, Project Syndicate

Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has dispelled doubts about NATO’s importance. But recognizing potential dangers is not the same as developing an effective response.

NATO NATO Partnerships
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, March 12, 2014

NATOSource

May 21, 2014

Poland Concerned Germany is Impeding NATO’s Response to Russia

By Judy Dempsey, Strategic Europe

Poland fears that Germany will not make the hard decisions required to stop Russia from acting again.

Germany NATO

Experts

Events