Brian Whitmore
@powervertical.bsky.social
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A blog and podcast about Russian and post-Soviet politics.
Thank you Hungary!!!
www.reuters.com/world/hungar...
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Hungary election results live: Orbán concedes to Magyar's Tisza after projections show opposition winning two-thirds majority
The opposition Tisza party appeared on track to win Sunday's national election, early results showed, in a potential landmark defeat for veteran Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
https://www.reuters.com/world/hungary-election-2026-live-viktor-orbans-fidesz-faces-challenge-opposition-peter-2026-04-12/
about 8 hours ago
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open.substack.com/pub/zygaro/p...
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A New Battle in the Kremlin
For the first time in years, Russia’s elite conflict is no longer hidden
https://open.substack.com/pub/zygaro/p/a-new-battle-in-the-kremlin?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
1 day ago
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open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
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The Hungarian Candidate
Is Orbán's Decline Trump's Fall?
https://open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p/the-hungarian-candidate?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
1 day ago
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The promo video for my report, “Russian Illusions: How the West lost the post-Cold War era,” has just dropped…
youtube.com/shorts/CWNwr...
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How did the West lose the post-Cold War era?
YouTube video by AtlanticCouncil
https://youtube.com/shorts/CWNwrRDvAYg?si=EWBZen4STyCjZFHd
6 days ago
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The conventional wisdom has been that the Iran war helps Russia and harms Ukraine. But is the CW correct? On this week’s Power Vertical Podcast, I break it down with Casey Michel
@cjcmichel.bsky.social
www.powervertical.org/2026/04/03/z...
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ZELENSKY HAS ‘THE CARDS’
powervertical · ZELENSKY HAS 'THE CARDS' Since the US and Israeli war against Iran began just over a month ago, the conventional wisdom has been that it benefits Russia and harms Ukraine.…
https://www.powervertical.org/2026/04/03/zelensky-has-the-cards/
8 days ago
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A masterpiece from Anton
open.substack.com/pub/shekhovt...
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European Imperium of Weights and Measures
European civilisation rests on standards and regulatory frameworks as much as on democracy, law, and citizenship.
https://open.substack.com/pub/shekhovtsov/p/european-imperium-of-weights-and?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
9 days ago
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reposted by
Brian Whitmore
John Sipher
11 days ago
Trump Is Doing Structural Damage to American Intelligence (my latest)
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
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Trump Is Doing Structural Damage to American Intelligence
The issue isn’t just his disregard for facts. It’s that he’s reshaping the government in his image.
https://open.substack.com/pub/thebulwark/p/trump-is-doing-structural-damage-american-intelligence-cia?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
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open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...
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Russian Illusions
How the West lost the post-Cold War era
https://open.substack.com/pub/brianwhitmore/p/russian-illusions?r=q0v4n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
13 days ago
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My new monograph, "Russian Illusions: How the West lost the post-Cold War era" is now live (follow link to PDF).The launch even from The Atlantic Council will be streamed at 2pm US Eastern time today.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-res...
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How the West lost the post-Cold War era
This in-depth report examines the lessons of the post-Cold War period and what the United States and its allies can do to counter Russian revanchism today.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/how-the-west-lost-the-post-cold-war-era/
13 days ago
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Brian Whitmore
Will Kerslake
14 days ago
A new contender for best headline
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Brian Whitmore
Will Kerslake
14 days ago
Based on how this exploded seems we all needed a laugh in these trying trying times. OG article
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
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Giant phallus-shaped iceberg floating in Conception Bay surprises residents of Dildo, Canada
A phallus-shaped iceberg hovered off the coast of Dildo, Newfoundland in Conception Bay before collapsing.
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/giant-phallus-shaped-iceberg-floating-in-conception-bay-surprises-residents-of-dildo-canada
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Brian Whitmore
John Sipher
14 days ago
Please, please. Republicans. Please put a stop to this. You know it’s wrong. Are there any sane people left?
open.substack.com/pub/weaponiz...
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“Even Better Than Expected”: Russian Propaganda Outlets Tout Successful Talks With US Lawmakers
Russian and U.S. lawmakers discussed removing sanctions and returning diplomatic properties to Russia, state media reported.
https://open.substack.com/pub/weaponizedspaces/p/even-better-than-expected-russian?r=17yf0&utm_medium=ios
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Brian Whitmore
CJ Fogler
14 days ago
HOLY SHIT UCONN
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open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...
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TOWARD A POST-LIBERAL WORLD?
The Power Vertical Podcast
https://open.substack.com/pub/brianwhitmore/p/toward-a-post-liberal-world?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
14 days ago
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substack.com/@jbpritzker/...
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JB Pritzker (@jbpritzker)
We are not fighting over policy or political party. We are fighting over whether we are going to be a civilization rooted in empathy and kindness—or cruelty and rage. Choose your side.
https://substack.com/@jbpritzker/note/c-221994722?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
15 days ago
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substack.com/@joannebfree...
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Joanne Freeman (@joannebfreeman)
Pretty much this right here.
https://substack.com/@joannebfreeman/note/c-232841527?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
15 days ago
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open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...
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TOWARD A POST-LIBERAL WORLD?
The Power Vertical Podcast
https://open.substack.com/pub/brianwhitmore/p/toward-a-post-liberal-world?r=q0v4n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
15 days ago
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On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I speak with Mike Carpenter and Max Bergmann
@maxbergmann.bsky.social
about how we may be moving into a post-liberal world order and what that portends.
www.powervertical.org/2026/03/27/t...
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TOWARD A POST-LIBERAL WORLD?
powervertical · TOWARD A POST-LIBERAL WORLD We now live in a world where the United States is picking fights with its NATO allies as it seeks rapprochement with Russia and China. We now have an adm…
https://www.powervertical.org/2026/03/27/toward-a-post-liberal-world/
16 days ago
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Another must-read piece from John Sipher
@johnsipher.bsky.social
tomorrowsaffairs.com/moscow-on-th...
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Moscow on the Potomac – How democracy can be defeated from within
Unless Americans rediscover some loyalty to truth, evidence, and democratic legitimacy, Putin will keep harvesting what he has planted here for years
https://tomorrowsaffairs.com/moscow-on-the-potomac-how-democracy-can-be-defeated-from-within
18 days ago
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substack.com/@jbpritzker/...
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JB Pritzker (@jbpritzker)
Turns out Donald Trump voted by mail. Again. It's almost like mail-in voting is safe, secure and makes voting easier.
https://substack.com/@jbpritzker/note/c-232683474?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
19 days ago
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substack.com/@paulkrugman...
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When Hyperglobalization Meets Chaos
Choke points are everywhere you look
https://substack.com/@paulkrugman/note/p-191847393?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
20 days ago
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On this week’s Power Vertical Podcast, we go there. I discuss Epstein’s ties to Russian intelligence with 28-year CIA veteran John Sipher
@johnsipher.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...
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REFLEXIVE CONTROL AND USEFUL IDIOTS: EPSTEIN AND THE RUSSIANS
The Power Vertical Podcast
https://open.substack.com/pub/brianwhitmore/p/reflexive-control-and-useful-idiots?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
21 days ago
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On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, we go there. I discuss Jeffrey Epstein's apparent ties to Russian intelligence and what they reveal about Moscow's tradecraft with the always insightful John Sipher, a 28-year CIA veteran.
@johnsipher.bsky.social
www.powervertical.org/2026/03/20/r...
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REFLEXIVE CONTROL AND USEFUL IDIOTS: EPSTEIN AND THE RUSSIANS
powervertical · REFLEXIVE CONTROL AND USEFUL IDIOTS – EPSTEIN AND THE RUSSIANS One of the most underdiscussed aspects of the sordid case of Jeffrey Epstein has been the convicted sex offender…
https://www.powervertical.org/2026/03/20/reflexive-control-and-useful-idiots-epstein-and-the-russians/
22 days ago
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This made me giggle
23 days ago
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My new monograph, "Russian Illusions: How the West Lost the Post-Cold War Era" will be released by The Atlantic Council on March 30.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/report...
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Report Launch: How the West lost the post-Cold War era
The latest Atlantic Council Eurasia Center report examines the lessons of the post-Cold War period and what the United States and its allies can do to counter Russian revanchism today.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/report-launch-how-the-west-lost-the-post-cold-war-era/
23 days ago
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substack.com/@borowitzrep...
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Andy Borowitz (@borowitzreport)
WASHINGTON—In a testy Oval Office meeting on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Donald J. Trump’s desperate pleas for military aid. Referring to Iran’s ability to shut down the...
https://substack.com/@borowitzreport/note/c-229350945?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
26 days ago
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open.substack.com/pub/katjahoy...
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Habermas is Dead. Will his ideas live on?
On Germany's most famous public philosopher
https://open.substack.com/pub/katjahoyer/p/habermas-is-dead-will-his-ideas-live?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
27 days ago
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This week’s Power Vertical podcast was a wild ride with the always insightful Michael Weiss
@michaeldweiss.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...
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GRU UNIT 29155 & THE ‘HAVANA SYNDROME’
The Power Vertical Podcast
https://open.substack.com/pub/brianwhitmore/p/gru-unit-29155-and-the-havana-syndrome?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
27 days ago
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RIP Jurgen Habermas
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/b...
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Jürgen Habermas Dies at 96; One of Postwar Germany’s Most Influential Thinkers
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/books/jurgen-habermas-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.TlA.Izci.XNj_7ClG5eBG&smid=nytcore-ios-share
28 days ago
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On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I spoke with the always insightful Michael Weiss
@michaeldweiss.bsky.social
about his groundbreaking reporting into the Havana Syndrome and its connection to the infamous GRU Unit 29155.
www.powervertical.org/2026/03/13/g...
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GRU UNIT 29155 & THE ‘HAVANA SYNDROME’
powervertical · GRU UNIT 29155 & THE 'HAVANA SYNDROME' It is a condition that has reportedly afflicted more than 1,000 US diplomats, intelligence officers, and military officials serv…
https://www.powervertical.org/2026/03/13/gru-unit-29155-the-havana-syndrome/
about 1 month ago
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substack.com/@borowitzrep...
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Andy Borowitz (@borowitzreport)
Rubio Afraid to Tell Trump That He Wears Smaller Shoe Size
https://substack.com/@borowitzreport/note/c-227085001?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
about 1 month ago
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Andy Borowitz (@borowitzreport)
Americans Stunned by Bizarre Spectacle of US President Speaking in Complete Sentences
https://substack.com/@borowitzreport/note/c-224351409?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
about 1 month ago
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Hello Tartu! It’s nice to see you again
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Brian Whitmore
Governor JB Pritzker
about 1 month ago
Happy Casimir Pulaski Day! As the Father of the American Cavalry, today is about the Revolutionary War hero who bravely fought for our nation. A celebration of his legacy and the Polish community in our state.
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Chicago area marks Casmir Pulaski Day Monday to honor Revolutionary War hero
Monday is Pulaski Day.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/casimir-pulaski-day-2026-chicago-area-marking-holiday-monday-honor-revolutionary-war-hero/18666931/
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reposted by
Brian Whitmore
Feral Maui Hermit
about 1 month ago
I miss these two beautiful humans so much.
youtu.be/WsuBBd9W4hk?...
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Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure live [1981] sounds better
YouTube video by travelsuka tv
https://youtu.be/WsuBBd9W4hk?si=tkH5m9FWArxfA7Dn
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America’s Governor
substack.com/@wethepeople...
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We The People Act Now (@wethepeopleactnow)
More than ever, impeach this regime!
https://substack.com/@wethepeopleactnow/note/c-221279862?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
about 1 month ago
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open.substack.com/pub/defiance...
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Trump is about to turn CNN into "Fox News 2." Will the network go down swinging?
The White House used thuggery to seize another news network that the president doesn't like, yet its on-air talent is largely silent. They shouldn't be. History is tuning in.
https://open.substack.com/pub/defiance/p/trump-is-about-to-turn-cnn-into-fox?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
about 1 month ago
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This week The Power Vertical Podcast marks four years of Russia's war against Ukraine. I speak with the always insightful James Sherr & Serhiy Kudelia about what we have learned and what happens next.
www.powervertical.org/2026/02/27/f...
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FOUR YEARS OF WAR
powervertical · FOUR YEARS OF WAR Four years ago this week, Vladimir Putin launched a war of aggression and a war of choice against Ukraine. At the time, Russian officials and even many Western ana…
https://www.powervertical.org/2026/02/27/four-years-of-war/
about 1 month ago
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substack.com/@adrianmacov...
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Adrian Macovei (@adrianmacovei)
The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world!
https://substack.com/@adrianmacovei/note/c-220104493?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
about 1 month ago
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substack.com/@borowitzrep...
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Andy Borowitz (@borowitzreport)
Measles Virus Endorses Casey Means for Surgeon General
https://substack.com/@borowitzreport/note/c-219808280?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Brian Whitmore
NY Times Pitchbot
about 2 months ago
Trump's rambling State of the Union raises new questions about Biden's mental state.
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substack.com/@jameslbruno...
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James L Bruno (@jameslbruno)
From Larry Sabato: “Funniest comment on SOTU, I think, was from Factbase of Roll Call: Trump's 1 hr 47 min speech was exactly the length of Alfred Hitchcock's classic film ‘Psycho.’”
https://substack.com/@jameslbruno/note/c-219878443?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
about 2 months ago
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This is interesting, though provoking, & informative
open.substack.com/pub/joelgouv...
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The Death of Spotify: Why Streaming is Minutes Away From Being Obsolete
Jimmy Iovine just called the Death of Spotify. He might be right.
https://open.substack.com/pub/joelgouveia/p/the-death-of-spotify-why-streaming?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
about 2 months ago
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This
substack.com/@borowitzrep...
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Andy Borowitz (@borowitzreport)
Let’s not brag about the men’s hockey team too hard. USA has a gold medal, but Canada still has a democracy
https://substack.com/@borowitzreport/note/c-219795838?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
about 2 months ago
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A must-read from Tom Nichols
@radiofreetom.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
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The Republican Party Has a Nazi Problem
How did the GOP become a haven for slogans and ideas straight out of the Third Reich?
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/04/republican-party-nazi-problem/686055/?gift=7WCDJeF8PHjXwTQW1_ACy_6YSW7UAA41W1YQK8zanr4
about 2 months ago
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America’s Governor
substack.com/@brianwhitmo...
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Brian Whitmore (@brianwhitmore)
America’s Governor
https://substack.com/@brianwhitmore/note/c-217963523?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
about 2 months ago
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On The Power Vertical Podcast this week I speak with veteran diplomats Donald Jensen & Iuliia Osmolovska about their new report for the Atlantic Council on the Kremlin’s negotiating strategy
www.powervertical.org/2026/02/20/w...
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WAR BY OTHER MEANS: THE KREMLIN’S NEGOTIATING PLAYBOOK
powervertical · WAR BY OTHER MEANS – THE KREMLIN'S NEGOTIATING PLAYBOOK One of the most common mistakes made by Western policymakers in negotiations with Russia is an assumption of good …
https://www.powervertical.org/2026/02/20/war-by-other-means-the-kremlins-negotiating-playbook/
about 2 months ago
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open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...
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Russia the Harbinger: Gangsterism, Global Putinism, and the Crisis of the West
Chapter in Perpetual Conflict: Russia and the Struggle for European Security
https://open.substack.com/pub/brianwhitmore/p/russia-the-harbinger-gangsterism?r=q0v4n&utm_medium=ios
about 2 months ago
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My chapter, “Russia the Harbinger: Gangsterism, Global Putinism, and the Crisis of the West” has been published in the edited volume Perpetual Conflict: Russia and the Struggle for European Security
media.voog.com/0000/0051/27...
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https://media.voog.com/0000/0051/2796/files/Rusconf_26_web.pdf
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Brian Whitmore
James Talarico
about 2 months ago
This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see. His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert. Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas.
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