issue spotlight

Stay updated

COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

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.

The Russia Tomorrow series

recent events

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

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

New Atlanticist

May 8, 2009

Medvedev Praises Soviet Role in WWII

By James Joyner

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is working to make belittling the Soviet Union’s contribution to the Allied victory in World War II a crime.  He also called the Soviet Union “our country,” a reference sure to raise eyebrows in the West.

Russia

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2009

Russia’s Privileged Sphere of Influence

By David Smith

Late last week, about 1,800 additional Russian troops poured into the already heavily occupied Georgian territories of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the Akhalgori District.

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

May 1, 2009

NATO Expels Russian Diplomats on Espionage Charges

By Valerie Nichols

 The expulsion of two Russian diplomats from the nation’s mission to NATO will surely put a damper in recent attempts to thaw relations.  Yesterday’s confirmation of the action comes only one day after the first resumption of formal talks between NATO and Russian representatives since last summer’s war with Georgia.  The talks were meant to […]

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 29, 2009

NATO and Russia Resume Formal Relations

By James Joyner

NATO and Russia today resumed formal relations, which were broken off in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Georgia.

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 21, 2009

Russian Tanks Near Tblisi

By James Joyner

Russian troops are a mere “25 miles (40 kilometers) from the Georgian capital, in violation of the European Union-brokered cease-fire that ended last year’s brief war,” Lynn Berry reports for AP.  All indications are that Moscow is increasing pressure on President Mikheil Saakashvili amidst a protest movement.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2009

Russia Ends Chechnya Campaign

By Valerie Nichols

Russia has finally declared an end to its decade-long anti-terrorism campaign in Chechnya, leaving more power in the hands of the republic’s President Ramzan Kadyrov.  Yet the decision, while perhaps symbolic, does not mean Chechnya’s troubles are over.

Russia

Experts