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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

Jul 9, 2009

Iran, Russia and U.S. Nonproliferation Efforts

By Brendan Boundy

Despite the apparent failure of the “reset button” for U.S.-Russian relations, the nuclear arms agreement signed by Obama and Medvedev will significantly reduce each country’s respective nuclear weapons arsenals and strengthen U.S.-led efforts to address a far more pressing issue: Iran’s continuing uranium enrichment and the concomitant threat of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

Iran Russia

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2009

Obama and Medvedev (Re)set Arms Limits

By Andrew Kessinger

Yesterday’s highly anticipated meeting between Presidents Obama and Medvedev, while hardly the so-called “reset” moment in U.S.-Russian relations, does shift the tone.

Russia United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2009

Russia Summit Achieves Little, As Expected

By James Joyner

Naval War College professor Nick Gvosdev, a contributing editor at the Atlantic Council, argued in advance of the trip that “Despite all the promises about a ‘reset’ in the U.S.-Russia relationship, the Obama administration still seems to be following a script crafted by its predecessor” but predicted that the visit would be “symbolically triumphal.”  He […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2009

Russia and the West: Mindset, not Reset

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

When President Obama arrives in Moscow today for his much-anticipated summit with President Medvedev, he should temper his expectations. A dramatic improvement in the West’s relationship with Russia is unlikely to take place unless the “reset” moment is accompanied by a change in mindset from both parties.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Jun 11, 2009

Why Obama Can’t Reset Relations with Putin’s Russia

By Alexander Motyl

U.S. President Barack Obama wants to “reset” America’s relations with Russia, but the nature of the Russian regime won’t permit much change. Obama can easily reject the style and correct the mistakes of his predecessor, George W. Bush, but doing so will not alter the fact that Putin’s Russia must engage in imperialist rhetoric and […]

Russia United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2009

Georgia the Key to US-Russia “Reset”

By David Smith

US President Barack Obama will travel to Moscow July 6-8 on the first real test of his attempt to “reset” US-Russian relations.  At the Kremlin, Obama must articulate what is negotiable and what is not. 

Russia The Caucasus
STOCK - Russia

New Atlanticist

May 26, 2009

American Policy for Russia: Democracy

By David Smith

US President Barack Obama heads to Moscow July 6-8.  With his trip just six weeks off, and the new American administration still crafting a foreign policy, newspaper pundits, including the author of this column, are scribbling.  Opinions abound, but almost all agree that it is time for Obama to step “Beyond the “Reset Button.'”

Russia United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2009

Energy and Russia’s National Security Strategy

By Roman Kupchinsky

On May 12 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev approved the latest version of the “National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation up to 2020” (Security Council of the Russian Federation, May 12).

Energy & Environment Russia

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2009

Medvedev Announces Review of NGO Restrictions

By Peter Cassata

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev launched a legislative review of restrictions placed on non-governmental organizations under Putin’s tenure.

Russia

New Atlanticist

May 12, 2009

Russia’s Big Fuss Over Little NATO Exercises

By David Smith

The first of two successive NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) exercises began yesterday at the Vaziani Georgian Armed Forces Base, 30 kilometers east of Tbilisi.  The objective of Exercises Longbow and Lancer is to improve the abilities of the 14 participating nations to respond cooperatively to crises.

NATO Russia

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