THE CHINA FACTOR

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Joseph Webster, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, about the contours and contradictions of the Sino-Russian “no limits” partnership. They explore how China has helped keep Russia’s economy and war machine afloat by purchasing hydrocarbons, supplying dual-use technology, and providing economic lifelines—all in broad daylight. The discussion also examines the limits of this relationship, including its asymmetry, potential pitfalls in Central Asia, and the challenges it poses for Western strategy.

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Max Bergmann of CSIS about Vladimir Putin’s return to the global stage. From Beijing’s military parade with Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un to a red-carpet summit in Alaska with Donald Trump, Putin is no longer isolated. We unpack what this means for the emerging authoritarian axis, the future of the West’s unity, and the impact of U.S. security cuts to Europe.

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Anton Shekhovtsov, director of the Centre for Democratic Integrity in Vienna and author of Towers of Europa, about Vladimir Putin’s eliminationist war against Ukraine and his quest for “symbolic immortality.” They discuss how ideology, historical revisionism, and the dehumanization of Ukrainians shape the Kremlin’s motivations, and why understanding Putin’s drive for symbolic immortality is key to grasping the genocidal nature of the war. The conversation also explores evolving Russian political myths, the manipulation of culture and history, and what Europe must do to meet the security challenges of a rapidly changing world order.

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with David Kramer, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, and Serhiy Kudelia, Associate Professor of Political Science at Baylor University, about the high-stakes Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. With the meeting unfolding as the episode was recorded, they analyze the possible scenarios—from capitulation to a Minsk 3-style ceasefire to the status quo—and explore how each could impact Ukraine, Europe, and U.S.-Russia relations. They also examine the broader strategic goals at play, the political signals from Washington, and what history might teach us about moments like this.

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Michael Carpenter and James Sherr to unpack a chaotic week of U.S.-Russia diplomacy and shifting signals out of Washington. As Trump calls a surprise Moscow meeting “highly productive” and dangles the possibility of direct talks with Zelensky and Putin, the U.S. simultaneously threatens secondary sanctions and hikes tariffs on India. What’s really going on? And could the West actually engineer a Ukrainian victory if it chose to? Tune in as our guests break down the mixed messages, strategic stakes, and what it all means for Ukraine, Russia, and the West.

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with military analyst Michael Kofman about Russia’s summer offensive, Ukraine’s resilience on the battlefield, and what shifting front lines near Pokrovsk, Kostyantynivka, and Zaporizhiya mean for the next phase of the war. They also explore the growing role of drones, Russia’s aerial strikes on Ukrainian cities, and how U.S. pressure and Ukraine’s domestic politics are shaping the conflict.

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Volodymyr Kulyk, Dylan Combellick, and Michael Carpenter about the growing protests in Ukraine following President Zelensky’s controversial move to curb anti-corruption agencies. As demonstrations erupt across major cities, civil society pushes back against what many see as a breach of democratic norms in the middle of war. The conversation explores whether a red line has been crossed—and what that means for public trust, wartime governance, and Ukraine’s democratic future. The guests unpack the origins of these key institutions, their role since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, and how this moment echoes past political tensions. It’s a deep dive into democracy under siege—and why Ukrainians are demanding its protection now more than ever.

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Jonathan Katz and Corina Rebegea about the new Cold War unfolding within democracies. They explore how Russia, corruption, and disinformation are undermining institutions across the West. The discussion also takes a close look at the recent crisis in Romania’s presidential election and what it reveals about defending liberal values today.

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Jeff Mankoff about rising tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan following a brutal crackdown and arrests on both sides. They explore how Azerbaijan’s assertiveness reflects shifting power dynamics in the former Soviet space and its growing confidence after victory in Karabakh. The conversation also covers Azerbaijan’s energy clout, ties to Turkey, and Moscow’s costs from escalating tensions. Later, they examine Russia’s faltering effort to rally the Global South against the West, with BRICS losing momentum.

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with James Sherr and Michael Carpenter about cracks in the Russia-Iran relationship following recent attacks on Tehran. They unpack what Iran's diminished ability to arm Moscow means for Putin’s influence in the Middle East. The conversation also turns to the NATO summit in The Hague and its implications for Europe’s security landscape.