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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

NATO was founded in 1949

NATOSource

Apr 11, 2014

Happy Birthday, NATO

By Peter Westmacott

Not so long ago, many commentators were questioning whether NATO still had a role to play in today’s world.

Afghanistan NATO
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Prague

NATOSource

Apr 11, 2014

NATO Secretary General: Russian Forces Near Ukraine ‘Ready for Combat’

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

For the first time since countries like the Czech Republic won their freedom, and the Cold War ended, we see one state trying to grab part of another’s territory at gunpoint.

Central Europe NATO

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2014

Playing to Putin’s End Game

By R. Nicholas Burns

It is best to watch what Putin does, not listen to what he says This week’s ethnic Russian demonstrations in Eastern Ukraine, fistfights in the Ukrainian parliament, and the image of a country unraveling are all too predictable. They are right out of Putin’s Crimea playbook from a month ago. And just as in Crimea, […]

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Apr 10, 2014

Stephan on the Best Way to Challenge Russian Aggression

By Maria J. Stephan

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Maria Stephan co-writes for Foreign Policy on how nonviolent resistance may be the key to curbing Russian interferrence in eastern Ukraine: 

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Apr 10, 2014

Carstei on How the Ukraine Crisis Affects Coal Usage

By Mihaela Carstei

Monitor Global Outlook quotes Energy & Environment Program Acting Director Mihaela Carstei what role the Ukraine crisis will have on coal usage in Europe:

Russia Ukraine
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

Experts

Events