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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

Jan 23, 2009

Russia Offers Afghanistan Cooperation

By James Joyner

Like many other countries, Russia is seizing on a new administration in Washington in an effort to redefine its relationship with the United States. Denis Dyomkin for Reuters: Russia welcomes U.S. President Barack Obama’s decision to review policy in Afghanistan and is ready to cooperate, including on supply routes for NATO forces, Russian President Dmitry […]

Afghanistan Russia
STOCK - Russia

New Atlanticist

Jan 19, 2009

Russia Threatens Georgia Arms Suppliers

By James Joyner

Russia is ratcheting up the stakes in its conflict with Georgia.  AP: President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered the Russian government to introduce economic sanctions against countries supplying weapons to Georgia.

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Jan 18, 2009

Russia and Ukraine Reach Gas Deal

By James Joyner

It appears, once again, that Russia and Ukraine have come to an understanding that will resume the flow of gas to Europe. AFP‘s Alexander Osipovich: Russia and Ukraine announced a gas agreement on Sunday that they said would “shortly” allow a resumption of supplies to Europe, but questions remained on how and when the deal […]

Energy & Environment Russia

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2009

Russia-Ukraine-EU Gas Talks Highlight Multiple Divisions

By James Joyner

Officials are hopeful that talks today will finally end the 17-day-old cutoff of Russian gas to Europe.  Aside from the humanitarian and economic issues, the crisis highlights tensions between Europe and Russia, Russia and Ukraine, and within Ukraine itself.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2009

Solving Europe’s Gas Problem

By Borut Grgic

It is hard to be amused by what now is an annual Ukraine-Russia gas dispute.  What surprises, is the continued lack of readiness in Europe to protect commerce and households from this problem.  The lack of viable alternatives is particularly evident in new Europe.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Jan 9, 2009

Gas Crisis Deal Reached

By Peter Cassata

A deal is reported to have been reached that will see the flow of Russian gas into Europe resume shortly.  Although the pricing dispute between Moscow and Kyiv seems as intractable as ever, Russia has agreed to turn on its gas if international monitors observe the pipelines at their entry and exit points through Ukraine.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2009

Pressure on Ukraine Heats Up as Europe Cools Down

By James Joyner

Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko is hoping that standing firm against Russia in the dispute over gas prices will bring him closer to Europe, Bloomberg’s James M. Gomez and Agnes Lovasz argue. He may be sadly mistaken.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2009

Helping Ukraine Help Itself

By Nikolas Gvosdev

We are seeing a familiar pattern repeating itself. A dispute between Naftohaz and Gazprom leads to an interruption in Ukraine’s gas supply. Deliveries to Europe are affected. Russia is criticized for its use of “the energy weapon”. Then, everything is patched up, the gas flows again and the West loses interest in the matter until […]

Energy & Environment Russia

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2009

The War in Georgia and Europe’s Terrible Silence

By David Smith

Four months after the hot phase of Russia’s war on Georgia, Russia continues to violate the European Union-brokered ceasefire agreements of August 12 and September 8.  Notwithstanding, the EU on December 2 resumed Partnership and Cooperation Agreement talks with Russia, which it had suspended September 1 in the wake of Russia’s August assault on Georgia. 

European Union International Organizations
Planned South Stream and Nabucco Gas Pipelines

New Atlanticist

Dec 29, 2008

Pipeline Politics: Gazprom Seals Serbia Deal

By Peter Cassata

Gazprom has purchased a controlling 51 percent stake in Serbia’s state oil company, NIS.  Equally as significant, Dmitry Medvedev and Serbian president Boris Tadic also signed a declaration of intent to include Serbia in the planned South Stream pipeline that will supply gas to Europe. 

Energy & Environment European Union

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