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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

Feb 14, 2014

A Srebrenica Moment in Syria?

By R. Nicholas Burns

As the savage killings and stratospheric refugee numbers in Syria continue to climb, a key question emerges. When will the United States and other global powers experience a “Srebrenica moment,” when they can no longer stand on the sidelines and resolve instead that they finally have to act?

Russia Syria
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Jan. 28, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 14, 2014

Russia, NATO Plan Joint Operation on Syria’s Chemical Weapons

By Gabriela Baczynska and Adrian Croft, Reuters

Russia and NATO are drawing up plans for a rare joint naval operation in the Mediterranean to protect the U.S. ship that will destroy Syria’s deadliest chemical weapons, officials and other sources said.

NATO Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin, December 19, 2013

NATOSource

Feb 13, 2014

What is the Source of Putin’s Domestic Support?

By Gregory Feifer, POLITICO

[T]he real glue holding the population to Putin’s regime isn’t rising expectations but the country’s all-encompassing corruption

Russia United States and Canada
Russia’s team at the Opening Ceremony for the Sochi Olympics

NATOSource

Feb 11, 2014

Sochi Olympics is a Cyber War Zone, Experts Warn

By Hannah Kuchler, Financial Times

Foreign visitors to the Winter Olympics in Sochi are unknowingly wading into a cyber battlefield, the US government and security experts have warned.

Cybersecurity Intelligence
Picture tweeted by EU Ambassador João Vale de Almeida

NATOSource

Feb 11, 2014

From ‘Least Diplomatic Diplomat,’ Salty Peek at Trans-Atlantic Strains

By Mark Landler, New York Times

Victoria J. Nuland, who is the assistant secretary of state for European affairs, summed up her feelings about the European Union in what she might have described in her previous job, as the State Department spokeswoman, as a “frank exchange of views” with the American ambassador to Ukraine.

European Union International Organizations
Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in Kiev, Feb. 7, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 7, 2014

US Officials Blame Russian Espionage for Leaked Nuland Call

By BuzzFeed, New York Times, and Reuters

From Rosie Gray, BuzzFeed:  Top U.S. officials are strongly suggesting that Russia is responsible for recording and releasing the tape of a phone call between the top U.S. diplomat for Europe and the ambassador to Ukraine.

Russia Ukraine
Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in Kiev, Feb. 6, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 7, 2014

US Diplomat Apologizes for Profane Remarks on EU

By Washington Post and Department of State

From Anne Gearan, Washington Post:  The top U.S. diplomat for Europe apologized Thursday for comments about the European Union that were — to put it lightly — undiplomatic.

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Feb 7, 2014

Hof on Victoria Nuland’s EU Gaffe

By Frederic C. Hof

US News and World Report quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on the effects of Victoria Nuland’s leaked conversation:

Russia Ukraine
Sergei Glazyev, an adviser to President Vladimir Putin

NATOSource

Feb 6, 2014

Putin Aide Warns US on Ukraine, Says Russia Could Act

By Alastair Macdonald, Reuters

A senior Kremlin aide accused the United States on Thursday of arming Ukrainian “rebels” and, urging the Kiev government to put down what it called an attempted coup, warned it could intervene to maintain the security of its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Russia Ukraine
Victory Day Parade in Moscow, May 9, 2005

NATOSource

Feb 4, 2014

Russia Named World’s Third-Largest Military Spender

By RIA Novosti

Russia is now the world’s third-largest military spender after the United States and China, pushing the United Kingdom into fourth place

China France

Experts

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