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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

Oct 7, 2009

The Russia-Georgia Conflict: An Invasion by Any Other Name

By David Smith

The long awaited European Union-commissioned report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia was published last week.  Unsurprisingly, it largely corroborates Georgian accounts of Russia’s August 2008 invasion while blaming Georgia for sparking the conflict.

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Sep 30, 2009

EU: Georgia ‘Triggered’ Russia’s Illegal Invasion

By James Joyner

As widely anticipated, an EU report on last year’s Russian invasion of Georgia finds plenty of blame to go around, finding that Tblisi “triggered” the conflict but that Moscow violated international law by its invasion and with numerous atrocities thereafter.

European Union International Organizations

Event Recap

Sep 29, 2009

First Annual Members’ Conference – The Russian Reset

By James Joyner

Summary of the breakout conversation “The Russian Reset” at the 2009 Annual Members’ Conference. PARTICIPANTS: Hon. R. Nicholas Burns,* Professor, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard; Former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Hon. Richard R. Burt,* Senior Advisor, McLarty Associates; Former U.S. Ambassador to Germany; Member, Atlantic Council Strategic Advisors Group Mr. Ronald Freeman,* […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2009

Merkel Win Opens Caucuses Options

By Borut Grgic

Europe’s broken Caucasus-Caspian policy is partly in trouble due to Germany’s Russia policy, which was put in place by the former German Chancellor, Mr. Schroeder, and faithfully executed by his SPD successor, Mr. Steinmeier who shared power with Ms. Merkel in the last German government.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 18, 2009

Obama’s Missile Defense Decision: The View From Europe

By James Joyner

President Obama’s decision to abandon the missile defense systems in Poland and Czech Republic agreed to by his predecessor has created a firestorm of controversy, with quite different reactions in Russia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and domestically.

Missile Defense Poland

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2009

Russia: Change You Can’t Believe In

By Robert Manning

Try this as a thought experiment: imagine a dynamic modern Russia with a robust knowledge economy, diversified industry, and reasonably functioning legal system where starting a business –or adjudicating disputes — is no more difficult than in say, Turkey or Malaysia. Not easy, is it? In fact, in a remarkable article published on Gazeta.ru, a […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2009

The Two Timetables

By Nikolas Gvosdev

U.S. and Russian strategies in the space “east of Europe” and across the Eurasian plain are operating on two different timetables.

Europe & Eurasia Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2009

NATO – Russia Strategic Partnership?

By James Joyner

New NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called for “open-minded and unprecedented dialogue” with Russia to create a “true strategic partnership” on issues ranging from Afghanistan to terrorism to nuclear proliferation. While “Russia should realize that NATO is here and that NATO is a framework for our transatlantic relationship,” he argued, “we should also […]

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2009

Putin’s Pipeline Pipe Dream

By Alexandros Petersen

In the geopolitical duel that is Eurasian pipeline diplomacy, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s August trip to Ankara was meant to be the riposte to July’s Nabucco pipeline signing ceremony.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2009

Putin Eyeing Return to Presidency?

By James Joyner

Vladimir Putin is hinting that he’ll seek re-election as president of Russia when he’s again eligible in 2012.

Russia

Experts