issue spotlight

Stay updated

COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

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.

The Russia Tomorrow series

recent events

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

Estonian President Toomas Henrik Ilves, Dec. 9, 2010

NATOSource

Apr 10, 2014

After Russian Invasion of Crimea, Alliance Must Deter Incursions into NATO Members

By Matthew Kaminski, Wall Street Journal

“An aggressive, revanchist power,” in the Estonian leader’s words, makes the unthinkable thinkable. “We were already caught off guard with Crimea,” he [Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves] says.

NATO Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2014

Military Analysis: How Much of Ukraine is Putin Thinking to Invade?

By Irena Chalupa

Less than a month after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, a further Russian incursion into eastern Ukraine remains a distinct possibility. President Vladimir Putin may be emboldened by the weakness of the central government in Kyiv and a failure so far of Western sanctions to enforce painful to consequences on Russia. Putin has had an invasion […]

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2014

Senate Testimony: Transatlantic Security Challenges in Central & Eastern Europe

Council Senior Fellow Ian Brzezinski will testify before a panel of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recommending policies dealing with the crisis in Ukraine. The hearing starts at 3:00 p.m. The lineup of panelists is below. We will make the video and Ian Brzezinski’s testimony as prepared for delivery available on this page as soon […]

Russia Ukraine
Gen. Philip Breedlove and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Feb. 26, 2014

NATOSource

Apr 10, 2014

US Troops May be Sent to Eastern Europe

By John-Thor Dahlburg, AP

NATO’s top military commander in Europe, drafting countermoves to the Russian military threat against Ukraine, said Wednesday they could include deployment of American troops to alliance member states in Eastern Europe now feeling at risk.

Eastern Europe NATO

In the News

Apr 9, 2014

Brzezinski: Putin Can Withstand Sanctions

By Ian Brzezinski

CNBC quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Ian Brzezinski on Russia’s ability to withstand economic sanctions in the wake of the invasion of Crimea:

Russia Ukraine
Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Facility in Romania

NATOSource

Apr 9, 2014

US May Accelerate Deployment of Missile Defense System in Poland

By David Larter, Defense News

The military could speed up deployment of a land-based missile defense shield in Europe to hem in a resurgent Russia, the Navy 3-star in charge of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said in early April.

Central Europe Europe & Eurasia

Article

Apr 9, 2014

Why We Can Play the Long Game on Russia

By James Clad & Robert A. Manning

With the benefit of hindsight, the Russian annexation of Crimea shouldn’t have been a great surprise: it has been obvious to those who chose to look that for most of the last twenty years, that Russian president Vladimir Putin never fully accepted the USSR’s demise. Now, as the West agonizes over another possible irredentist feint—possibly […]

Russia Ukraine
Bulgarian MiG-29's

NATOSource

Apr 8, 2014

Bulgaria Considering Air Policing with Turkey and Romania Due to Increase in Russian Flights Near Borders

By Lithuania Tribune

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has said Sofia should cooperate with NATO partners Turkey and Romania in the face of increased Russian surveillance flights coming close to Bulgarian airspace.

Central Europe NATO
Latvian President Andris Bērziņš, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė, and Vice President Joe Biden

NATOSource

Apr 8, 2014

Crisis in Ukraine Highlights NATO’s Responsibility to Defend All Allies

By Andris Razans, National Interest

What is the strategic role and responsibility of NATO in this situation?

NATO Northern Europe
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, April 8, 2014

NATOSource

Apr 8, 2014

Secretary General Calls for More Robust NATO Exercises and Deployments

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

We are meeting at a defining moment for the security architecture we have built together over the last decades.

NATO Russia

Experts