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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

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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

Report

Feb 22, 2023

Undermining Ukraine

By Roman Osadchuk, Andy Carvin

From the very start of the war, the Kremlin emphasized demoralizing Ukrainian audiences and destroying their will to fight. Building on daily monitoring of the Kremlin media ecosystem, this report analyzes Russia’s attempts to undermine Ukraine by targeting local, regional, and global audiences since February 2022.

Disinformation Russia

Report

Feb 22, 2023

Narrative warfare

By Nika Aleksejeva, Andy Carvin

In the weeks and months leading up to Russia invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Kremlin and pro-Kremlin media employed false and misleading narratives to justify military action against Ukraine, mask the Kremlin’s operational planning, and deny any responsibility for the coming war. Dive into a full accounting of the road to war.

Disinformation Russia

Markup

Feb 22, 2023

Our experts decode the Putin speech that launched Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Vladimir Putin’s February 24, 2022, speech launching a war of aggression in Ukraine was full of false, misleading narratives that Putin, official Kremlin channels, and pro-Kremlin Russian media outlets had been circulating since 2014. Experts unpack the narrative themes that Russia used to justify the war.

Disinformation Russia

UkraineAlert

Feb 21, 2023

Putin could still win unless the West speeds up efforts to arm Ukraine

By Dennis Soltys

Ukraine's international partners are gradually providing the country with the weapons it needs to beat Russia, but excessive caution and continued delays could still allow Vladimir Putin to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Feb 21, 2023

US foreign policy: China is important but the top priority is stopping Russia

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

Members of the US foreign policy establishment are wrong to prioritize a "China First" perspective at a time when Putin's Russia is waging a major war of aggression in Ukraine, writes Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

China Conflict

In the News

Feb 21, 2023

Polymeropoulos in PUCK on Hybrid Warfare and Russia

By Atlantic Council

On January 31, FD Nonresident Senior Fellow Marc Polymeropoulos was quoted in PUCK News on Russia’s long history of using hybrid warfare and their recent reluctance “to go all in” on it.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Feb 20, 2023

‘You cannot outlast us’: Biden’s Kyiv visit sends strong message to Moscow

By Peter Dickinson

US President Joe Biden's bold surprise visit to wartime Kyiv sent a strong message to Moscow that time is not on Putin's side and Russia should not pin its hopes on a weakening of Western resolve to stand with Ukraine.

Conflict Freedom and Prosperity

In the News

Feb 20, 2023

Yevgeniya Gaber quoted in Politico on renewing the Black Sea grain deal

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 20, 2023

Karatnycky in Foreign Policy: Can Russia ever become a ‘normal’ European nation?

By Atlantic Council

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Feb 20, 2023

How Biden’s Ukraine trip was received in Kyiv and Moscow

By Atlantic Council

Biden's surprise visit to Ukraine featured photo ops and promises for more military aid. Now, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the visit and what's next.

Conflict Defense Industry

Experts