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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

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

New Atlanticist

Jun 10, 2025

Five questions (and expert answers) about the new EU sanctions plan for Nord Stream and Russian banks and oil

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts break down the details of the European Commission's proposed eighteenth sanctions package against Russia for its war on Ukraine.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

UkraineAlert

Jun 10, 2025

Modern Ukraine’s national journey can be traced on Kyiv’s central square

By Peter Dickinson

Since 1991, Kyiv's Maidan square has emerged from Ukraine’s post-Soviet identity crisis via two popular uprisings to become the sacred ground zero of a nation forged in the crucible of revolution and war, writes Peter Dickinson.

Civil Society Conflict

UkraineAlert

Jun 10, 2025

Ukrainian innovations are redefining the role of drones in modern war

By Vitaliy Nabukhotny

Ukraine’s audacious drone strikes on Putin’s bomber fleet at airbases across Russia have been hailed as a watershed moment in military history, leading to claims that Ukraine is “redefining modern warfare,” writes Vitaliy Nabukhotny.

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Jun 9, 2025

Kroenig featured in Times Radio segment on ‘a new nuclear age’

By Atlantic Council

On June 4, Matthew Kroenig, vice president and senior director of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, was featured in a Times Radio segment discussing the ‘new nuclear age.’ Kroenig stated that China’s massive nuclear buildup, alongside Russia’s arsenal, marks the dawn of a new and more dangerous nuclear age.

China Nuclear Deterrence

Inflection Points Today

Jun 8, 2025

A German leader’s D-Day lesson for Trump 

By Frederick Kempe

In the Oval Office, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a message that no American should ignore.

Conflict Germany

New Atlanticist

Jun 6, 2025

Ukraine’s drone strikes offer four big lessons for US nuclear strategists

By Mark J. Massa

Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb should spur the US government to address strategic vulnerabilities that nuclear strategists have focused on for years.

Defense Policy National Security

New Atlanticist

Jun 6, 2025

Dispatch from Kyiv: Ukraine is putting new pressure on Russia. Will Trump follow?

By John E. Herbst

To bring a stable peace to Europe, the Trump administration must apply strong pressure on Russia in the form of sanctions and military aid to Ukraine.

Defense Policy Russia

UkraineAlert

Jun 5, 2025

Russian hybrid warfare: Ukraine’s success offers lessons for Europe

By Maksym Beznosiuk

As the Kremlin continues to escalate its hybrid war against Europe, Ukraine's unique experience since 2014 of combating Russian hybrid warfare offers important lessons, writes Maksym Beznosiuk.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Jun 5, 2025

Trump’s Russia policy must be rooted in realism

By Agnia Grigas

The Trump administration favors a realist approach to international relations, but a pragmatic assessment of Russia’s capabilities and objectives is needed to achieve the stated goal of bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, writes Agnia Grigas.

Conflict Disinformation

Inflection Points

Jun 5, 2025

Ukraine just gave us a glimpse into the future of European defense

By Frederick Kempe

European allies need both military capabilities and technological innovation to deter Russia, as Ukraine’s recent drone strikes on Russian air bases underscore.

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy

Experts

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