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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

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2013

China Ascendant: Is Conflict Inevitable?

By Rajan Menon

Thucydides’ purpose in his great epic was to account for “what led to this great war falling upon the Hellenes.” He acknowledged that what we know as the Peloponnesian War was produced by many different disputes and depicted them masterfully, laying bare their specificities. But, in the opening pages, he warns us that dwelling on […]

China Indo-Pacific
Lithuanian Defense Minister Juozas Olekas and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

NATOSource

Dec 16, 2013

US and NATO Allies Voice Concern over Russian Deployment of Iskander Missiles

By Steve Gutterman, Reuters

From Steve Gutterman, Reuters:  The reports caused alarm in Poland and the Baltic states, which are wary of Russian military movements after decades of dominance by the Soviet Union.

European Union International Organizations
Iskander missile battery

NATOSource

Dec 16, 2013

Russia Confirms Deployment of Iskander Missiles on NATO Borders

By RIA Novosti and RT

From RIA Novosti:  Russia confirmed Monday that it has deployed tactical ballistic missiles near its borders with NATO but said the move did not violate international agreements.

Missile Defense NATO
Russian President Vladimir Putin

NATOSource

Dec 10, 2013

Putin Orders Strong Military Presence in Arctic

By Reuters and RIA Novosti

From Thomas Grove, Reuters:  President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s military to increase its focus on the Arctic and finish plans by the end of the year to upgrade military bases in the resource-rich region where world powers jostle for control.

Europe & Eurasia Russia
Sukhoi Su-27 Fighter Jet

NATOSource

Dec 10, 2013

Russia Deploys First Fighter Jets to Belarus

By Defense News and RIA Novosti

From Jaroslaw Adamowski, Defense News:  Russia has deployed the first four Su-27SM3 fighter jets to Belarus. The aircraft will be stationed at the 61st air base in Baranavichi, reported local daily Belorusskiy Partizan.

Belarus Russia

New Atlanticist

Dec 7, 2013

Ukraine, the EU, and Russia: Win, Don’t Whine

By Matthew Bryza

It is understandable that European leaders are angry with Russia for spoiling the EU’s Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius by pressuring Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to “suspend” signing of Ukraine’s EU Association Agreement.  Moscow’s hardball tactics created a diplomatic debacle for the EU, as President Putin (yet again) violated his self-serving maxim of noninterference in […]

European Union International Organizations
Test launch of Russian RS-24 ICBM

NATOSource

Dec 7, 2013

US Reluctant to Disclose to All NATO Allies that Russia is Violating INF Treaty

By Josh Rogin, Daily Beast

The Kremlin cheated on a nuclear pact it signed with the United States, the U.S. government believes—and Secretary Kerry was briefed on the violations almost a year ago.

Missile Defense NATO
Russian President Vladimir Putin, December 2, 2013

NATOSource

Dec 5, 2013

Putin Says Russia Needs to Beef Up Arctic Presence

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, AP

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said the U.S. navy’s capability in the Arctic is a key reason for Russia to beef up its presence in the region.

Europe & Eurasia Russia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, December 4, 2009

NATOSource

Dec 5, 2013

Lavrov Asks If NATO Planning to ‘Put Itself in Ukraine?’

By State Department

There was also a discussion of Ukraine initiated by Foreign Minister Lavrov reacting to the NATO public statement yesterday of support for the wishes for the Ukrainian people, asking whether NATO was planning to put itself in Ukraine.

Iran Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2013

Living in Putin’s Neighborhood

By Damon Wilson

Not much unites former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, currently serving a 7-year prison sentence, and the man who put her there — and won’t release her — Ukraine’s president, Viktor Yanukovych. Yet, each tells a similar story of humiliation and debasement in their dealings with Vladimir Putin.

Europe & Eurasia Russia

Experts