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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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New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2014

Putin’s Strategy

By Damon Wilson

President Putin is striking back and playing for keeps in Ukraine. After losing his lever of control over Ukraine when the pliant and dependent former President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia, Putin is seeking to regain his leverage by dismembering Ukraine.

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2014

Putin’s Risk of Blowback From Ukraine

By Ian Brzezinski

US Should Stress to Russia the Costs it Will Pay at Home Russia’s invasion of Crimea, and the Russian parliament’s authorization for President Vladimir Putin’s to use military force throughout Ukraine, reflects Putin’s longstanding desire to reacquire territory lost through the collapse of the Soviet Union. This incursion violates a treaty Russia signed in 1994 […]

Eastern Europe Russia

In the News

Mar 2, 2014

Wilson: Putin “Testing the Waters”

By Damon Wilson

The Chicago Sun-Times quotes Atlantic Council executive VP Damon Wilson on how the White House can stem Russia’s interference in Ukraine:

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REUTERS/Baz Ratner

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2014

What Does Putin Want in Ukraine?

By Rajan Menon

The first thing to be said about the question I’ve posed in the title is that no one truly knows — and you shouldn’t believe anyone who says they do. Even Vladimir Putin is unlikely to have figured out all his moves, or decided what would constitute victory for him in Ukraine, at an acceptable […]

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Mar 1, 2014

US Backs Moldova Against Russian Pressures

By New Atlanticist

Prime Minister Iurie Leancă Visits a Supportive White House The Obama administration continues its show of support for the three ex-Soviet countries that are building closer ties to the European Union against coercive pressures from Russia. Days after President Obama met Georgia’s prime minister – and as Washington works to respond to Russia’s military pressure […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 1, 2014

Brzezinski: US Must Specify Sanctions on Russia Over Crimea

By New Atlanticist

US Debates ‘Business as Usual’ With Russia, Says Council’s Damon Wilson As President Obama warned Russia that “there will be costs” if it pursues an invasion of the Ukrainian region of Crimea, policymakers in Washington are debating whether to sustain or suspend “business as usual” with the Russian government, the Atlantic Council’s Damon Wilson said. […]

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2014

Obama Warns Russia: “There Will Be Costs for Any Military Intervention in Ukraine”

By New Atlanticist

Here is the text of President Obama’s statement today on developments in Crimea:

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Feb 28, 2014

Brzezinski Comments on Crimea Occupation

By Ian Brzezinski

Ian Brzezinski, senior fellow for the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, is quoted by CNBC on Russia’s aggressive moves in Crimea:

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Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Feb. 27, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 27, 2014

Hagel Warns Russia Not to Intervene in Ukraine

By New York Times and Department of Defense

From Helene Cooper, New York Times:  Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel warned Russia on Thursday to stay out of the turmoil in Ukraine

NATO NATO Partnerships
Russian Troops

NATOSource

Feb 27, 2014

Russia Should Avoid Raising the Stakes Over Ukraine

By Ivo Daalder, Financial Times

At the very least, a military exercise on this massive scale, so close to the borders with a sovereign state, is meant to send a stern message to the new leaders of Ukraine that there is a limit to that nation’s independence.

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