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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

Mar 7, 2014

Brattberg: Ukraine Highlights Europe’s Energy Dependence

By Erik Brattberg

Deutsche Welle quotes Brent Scowcroft Resident Fellow Erik Brattberg on Europe’s dependence on Russian energy:

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Mar 7, 2014

Carstei: Sanctions Are “Toothless” Without Europe

By Miahela Carstei

Energy & Environment Program Deputy Director Mihaela Carstei joins CCTV America to discuss whether sanctions against Russian officials will help resolve the standoff in Crimea:

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Mar 7, 2014

Benitez: Putin Comparisons Strike a Chord in Europe

By Jorge Benitez

Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Jorge Benitez joins Voice of America to discuss historical comparisons to Russia’s invasion of Crimea:

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Mar 6, 2014

Dobriansky: Ukraine a Victim of Weak Western Allies

By Paula J. Dobriansky

Paula J. Dobriansky, Atlantic Council board director, writes in USA Today on Russia’s invasion of Crimea:

Russia Ukraine
NATO-Russia Council, December 4, 2013

NATOSource

Mar 6, 2014

NATO Ambassadors Confront Russian Diplomat in ‘Tense’ Meeting

By Anne Gearan and Karen DeYoung, Washington Post

A NATO diplomat, describing the [NATO-Russia Council] session as “tense,” said alliance members one by one confronted Alexander V. Grushko, Russia’s representative to NATO, with charges that Moscow was violating international law in Crimea and concocting threats against ethnic Russians there to justify its actions.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 6, 2014

Is Crimea Preparing to Exit Ukraine?

By Rajan Menon

The Crimean parliament has voted to organize a referendum on March 16 if the Russian government — basically Putin — agrees that the territory is eligible to become part of the Russian Federation and to secede from Ukraine. But here’s the problem:

Russia Ukraine

Article

Mar 6, 2014

Empty Tough Talk from US Hawks

By Rajan Menon

You would think it’s self-evident that Ukraine’s current crisis and the controversies sparked before its eruption by Iran’s nuclear program, China’s muscle-flexing against Japan and the Philippines over disputed tiny islands, and Syria’s continuing carnage are distinct—that they have little, if anything, in common. Well, you’d be wrong, at least in the eyes of the […]

China East Asia
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arsenii Yatseniuk and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

NATOSource

Mar 6, 2014

NATO Secretary General: Ukraine Crisis is ‘Gravest Threat to European Security’ Since Cold War

By NATO

Ukraine is a valued and long-standing partner for NATO.

NATO NATO Partnerships

In the News

Mar 6, 2014

Joyner: Crimea Is Not Armageddon

By James Joyner

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow James Joyner writes for The Hill on the crisis in Crimea:

Russia Ukraine

Article

Mar 5, 2014

NATO’s Strategic Ace: Vladimir Putin

By Harlan Ullman

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was on the road to irrelevance. The most successful military alliance in history has lacked a real enemy since the Soviet Union disintegrated a quarter of a century ago.  After a dozen years of war in Afghanistan,  NATO’s role is coming to an ignominious end. Because of Afghan President […]

NATO Russia

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