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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

UkraineAlert

Sep 9, 2025

What is the Coalition of the Willing actually willing to do in Ukraine?

By Mykola Bielieskov

European troops in Ukraine could serve as a meaningful element within a broader deterrence package, but Coalition of the Willing leaders should focus on making the Ukrainian military strong enough to deter the Kremlin, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict European Union

In the News

Sep 9, 2025

Spencer in Eurasianet on Russia’s increasing restrictions on Central Asian migrants

On September 9, Katherine Spencer, program assistant at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, was published in Eurasianet on Russia’s increasing restrictions on foreign workers amidst the country’s labor shortage.

Central Asia Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2025

Why China and Russia are unlikely to move the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline forward

By Joseph Webster, Landon Derentz

While questions remain over the mega pipeline project, Russia has already secured significant export volumes via smaller projects, largely from Chinese buyers.

China Economy & Business

Inflection Points

Sep 4, 2025

In Beijing and Paris, a tale of two global futures

By Frederick Kempe

Recent gatherings in China and France revealed that competing international orders are crystallizing. What part will the United States play?

China European Union

Fast Thinking

Sep 4, 2025

Twenty-six European countries have committed to help defend Ukraine after the war. What’s next? 

By Atlantic Council

Our experts share their perspectives on what the commitments that members of the Coalition made on Thursday will mean for Ukraine’s security.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Sep 4, 2025

Ukrainian bombing campaign turns Russia’s sheer size into a weakness

By David Kirichenko 

For centuries, Russia’s sheer size has been its greatest asset. Ukraine now intends to transform this vastness into a weakness with a long-range bombing campaign targeting Putin's economically vital but vulnerable energy industry, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Drones

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2025

Maritime autonomous vehicles are threatening Arctic security. Here’s what to do about it.

By Svetlana Greene

International norms governing the Arctic have been unable to match the pace of technological innovation taking place with autonomous vehicles.

Maritime Security Northern Europe

EnergySource

Sep 4, 2025

The China-Russia natural gas deal is a distraction from LNG sanctions evasion

By Olga Khakova

The announcement of a China-Russia natural gas pipeline deal is attention-grabbing geopolitical theater. The United States should instead be focused on curbing Russia's evasion of LNG sanctions.

China Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Sep 3, 2025

Europe’s best security guarantee against Russia is the Ukrainian army

By Elena Davlikanova, Yevhen Malik

With Europe militarily unprepared and deeply reluctant to confront the Kremlin, a strong Ukraine currently looks to be by far the most realistic deterrent against further Russian aggression, write Elena Davlikanova and Yevhenii Malik.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2025

Dispatch from Kyiv and Warsaw: Security is the first answer to Russia’s aggression

By Shelby Magid, Mercedes Sapuppo

A visit to the capitals of Ukraine and Poland puts recent diplomacy in Moscow, Anchorage, and Washington to end Russia’s war in Ukraine in perspective.

Conflict Poland

Experts