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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

Mar 4, 2009

Poll: Russia Reset and EU Future

By James Joyner

Our most recent poll on efforts to “push the reset button” on relations with Russia shows substantially more optimism among Europeans than Americans. 

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 3, 2009

Russian Elections Follow Latin America Model

By James Joyner

Russia held local elections Sunday but most observers are crying Foul! Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s party has swept local elections that other parties and independent observers said were awash with voting irregularities.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2009

Bad News for U.S.-Russia Arms Control?

By Peter Cassata

A group of Russian navy officials were caught trying to smuggle $18 million worth of anti-submarine and aviation missiles into China, although the level of official involvement in both countries remains unknown.  The cargo was found in Tajikistan, where Russia maintains a military base.

China Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 19, 2009

NATO-Russia War: A Scenario

By Andreas Umland

A regularly employed analyst runs a certain risk when publicly speaking about the possibility of a destruction of humanity, in the foreseeable future. “Professional myopia” or “immaturity in judgment” may be among the less denigrating – “unprofessional hysteria” or “irresponsible conduct” the more damning – reactions by colleagues. One workplace-friend recently advised me to delete […]

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 19, 2009

Russia and Georgia Agree to International Monitors

By James Joyner

Russia and Georgia agreed to give international monitors freedom to rome throughout Georgia, including the disputed territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2009

Russian Occupation Threatens East-West Corridor

By David Smith

Another round of international talks on the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is underway this week in Geneva.  Meanwhile, Russia is tightening its vice-grip, transforming the two occupied territories into military garrisons.

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Feb 15, 2009

NATO Afghanistan Mission Risks Repeating Russia’s Mistakes

By James Joyner

The twentieth anniversary of Russia’s withdrawal from Afghanistan is bringing natural comparisons with the NATO mission now in its eighth year.  Abdul Saboor, writing for Reuters, recalls a Soviet airstrike that killed 30 civilians and sees many similarities. A string of bungled U.S. and NATO air strikes killed 455 Afghan civilians last year, according to […]

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2009

Russia’s Latin Affections?

By Cynthia Romero

Russia and Cuba are getting cozy again.  After almost two decades of estrangement, the odd couple is back, and this time it’s an open relationship.  They are both looking to involve other partners, namely Venezuela and Nicaragua, and Russia has made clear there are no more lavish gifts like the old Soviet subsidized oil price.  […]

Cuba Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2009

Russia Reset Button Will Restore Default Values

By James Joyner

Speaking in Munich over the weekend, Vice President Joe Biden pledged to “press the reset button” on United States relations with Russia.   While this has brought renewed hope for some, most observers are rightly skeptical.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2009

Russia Forms 7-Nation Rapid Reaction Force

By James Joyner

Russia has announced the creation of a rapid reaction military force comprised of seven former Soviet states.  President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia, Armenia, Belarus and four Central Asian nations — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — had reached the agreement to form a new security force during a summit of the Moscow-dominated Collective Security Treaty […]

Russia

Experts