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Brian Whitmore

@powervertical.bsky.social
3.8K followers 142 following 1.1K posts

A blog and podcast about Russian and post-Soviet politics.

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Reposted by Brian Whitmore
Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 16h
State Department employees were falsely accused of "censoring" Americans. When do they get justice? thehill.com/opinion/nati...
thehill.com
We need accountability for federal employee purges made on false pretenses
I was grilling chicken on a sweltering summer night in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, when I peeked at my phone and saw that a senior official in the administration had just accused me of lying to C…
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
There is an emerging consensus among Western intelligence services that Russia is plotting something big in Europe to test NATO's resolve. On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I break it all down with Max Bergmann & Michael Carpenter. www.powervertical.org/2026/09/25/p...
powervertical.org
PUTIN’S EUROPEAN FRONT
powervertical · PUTIN'S EUROPEAN FRONT Europe is on edge. And it is preparing for the worst. Lithuania is prepping evacuation routes. Poland is planning for the possible influx of refugees fro…
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A consensus appears to be emerging in Europe that Russia is plotting something big to test NATO's resolve. In this week's the Shatterbelt Brief, my column for Independence Avenue Media, I take a closer look. www.indavemedia.com/commentary-p...
indavemedia.com
Commentary: Putin’s Plot — Why Europe is Preparing for the Worst
The Shatterbelt Brief is a weekly column by Brian Whitmore examining the shifting political and geopolitical dynamics of Eastern Europe
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This is worth reading. It’s long, but worth your time thegrimhistorian.substack.com/p/remember-t...
thegrimhistorian.substack.com
Remember Teapot Dome? Time to Revisit it.
A century ago, oil money got very cozy with presidential power. The receipts are worth rereading.
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Worth reading open.substack.com/pub/shankarn...
open.substack.com
The Democratic World Is Learning to Move Without America
America Cancels. Europe Connects
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Dan is correct and worth reading as always danieldrezner.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
danieldrezner.substack.com
Donald Trump Is No Longer Feared
What happens when a president has no ideas, runs out of steam, and loses credibility?
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Worth reading georgepkent.substack.com/p/alex-ovech...
georgepkent.substack.com
Alex Ovechkin - “I’m Russian”
Moral dilemmas, choices, and consequences
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The Belarusian drone-guidance relays Zelenskyy forced offline in June are working again. Lukashenka's room to say no to Putin is shrinking. My latest Shatterbelt Brief column for Independence Avenue Media. www.indavemedia.com/commentary-t...
indavemedia.com
Commentary: The Belarusian Front is Back
The Shatterbelt Brief is a weekly column by Brian Whitmore examining the shifting political and geopolitical dynamics of Eastern Europe
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
substack.com/@milestaylor...
substack.com
Miles Taylor (@milestaylor)
Nicolle Wallace just had the best line about Kash Patel as FBI director: “He‘s binging beers and defending goat sex.” I almost spit out my soda on air.
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The Washington Post Editorial Board @postopinions.bsky.social appears to have lost the plot here. Canada isn’t negotiating membership. The entire premise of this editorial is flawed www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
washingtonpost.com
Opinion | Canada’s great European misadventure
Donald Trump is for now. A Brussels bureaucrat is forever.
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
substack.com/@vilniusscho...
substack.com
Edmond Bertrand (@vilniusschoolmaster)
Trump has eliminated the LGBQT suicide hotline, so Canada has made theirs availabale to Americans. 1-877-565-8860
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
substack.com/@pinnerpatte...
substack.com
Shaun Pinner (@pinnerpatter)
An unelected American 🇺🇸 with no diplomatic experience is telling me to surrender my home, and telling Ukraine 🇺🇦 to surrender even more land, to an imperialist, fascist dictator committing acts of te...
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Worth reading michaeldsellers.substack.com/p/there-used...
michaeldsellers.substack.com
There Used to Be an America . . . . .
There’s something about this photograph that makes me deeply melancholy.
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
substack.com/@romansherem...
substack.com
Roman Sheremeta (@romansheremeta)
Jared Kushner: Zelensky refuses to accept russia's peace terms. Kushner: ”Putin's laid out his line of what he wants to achieve.  If Ukraine wanted to withdraw to that line, then obviously we have th...
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
substack.com/@professorbo...
substack.com
Prof. Bonk 🇺🇦 (@professorbonk)
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
It’s Groundhog Day. It’s Deja Vu. It’s the latest round of US-sponsored “negotiations” on Russia’s war against Ukraine. On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I unpack it with Yuriy Boyechko & David Kramer. www.powervertical.org/2026/09/11/d...
powervertical.org
DÉJÀ VU DIPLOMACY
powervertical · DÉJÀ VU DIPLOMACY So here we go again. U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow and Kyiv last weekend to, yet again, try to broker a peace deal between Russia …
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Well worth reading thegrimhistorian.substack.com/p/the-german...
thegrimhistorian.substack.com
The German Word That Explains Why Young Men Are Moving Right
From Weimar Germany to the AfD and MAGA, the politics of feeling unnecessary
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
In my latest Shatterbelt Brief column for Independence Avenue Media, I break down the latest Kushner-Witkoff "negotiations" and explain why there can be no "win-win" settlement of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. www.indavemedia.com/commentary-g...
indavemedia.com
Commentary: Groundhog Day Diplomacy — Why there can be no win-win settlement in Russia’s war against Ukraine
The Shatterbelt Brief is a weekly column by Brian Whitmore examining the shifting political and geopolitical dynamics of Eastern Europe
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
In this week’s Shatterbelt Brief, my column for Independence Avenue Media, I break down the latest round of US shuttle diplomacy & explain why there is no “win-win” settlement of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. www.indavemedia.com/commentary-g...
indavemedia.com
Commentary: Groundhog Day Diplomacy — Why there can be no win-win settlement in Russia’s war against Ukraine
The Shatterbelt Brief is a weekly column by Brian Whitmore examining the shifting political and geopolitical dynamics of Eastern Europe
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
substack.com/@deanblundel...
substack.com
BREAKING: Europe And Canada Announcing New Alliance To Counter Trump. Date Set: September 16.
One week after Canada's counter tariffs hit, Europe is going public with a partnership built to route around Washington. Carney speaks to the European Parliament the day after.
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
canresist.substack.com/p/websites-f...
canresist.substack.com
Websites for Americans to Buy Canadian Goods
Five ways to shop online and support the resistance!
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Reposted by Brian Whitmore
Jay @jaylboh.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
This is what we’re dealing with.
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
lol
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
substack.com/@jameslbruno...
substack.com
James L Bruno (@jameslbruno)
History rhymes.
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
substack.com/@darthputink...
substack.com
Darth Putin KGB (@darthputinkgb)
In any other walk of life, representatives of a convicted felon meeting a man indicted for war crimes to discuss an invasion the UN has delcared illegal would be called a "criminal conspiracy". Not ...
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
economicsofpower.substack.com/p/the-deadli...
economicsofpower.substack.com
The Deadline Is the Concession
Why Ukraine will be asked to pay
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
substack.com/@socialcontr...
substack.com
Joe Walsh (@socialcontractwithjoewalsh)
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
substack.com/@olenakryzha...
substack.com
Olena Kryzhanivska (@olenakryzhanivska)
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Ukraine turned 35 on August 24. On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I had a lively discussion with Marta Dyczok @martadyczok.bsky.social & Serhiy Kudelia about the key milestones. www.powervertical.org/2026/09/04/u...
powervertical.org
UKRAINE AT 35
powervertical · UKRAINE AT 35 In case anybody missed it, Ukraine turned 35 last month. And when Ukrainians celebrated Independence Day this August 24, was the 13th consecutive time they have marked…
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The Shatterbelt Brief, my weekly column for Independence Avenue Media, has a new landing page: www.indavemedia.com/cat/the-shat...
indavemedia.com
Commentary: Putin’s Escalation Psyop
Brian Whitmore is a contributor writing for Independence Avenue Media. The views expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
substack.com/@glassempire...
substack.com
W. A. Lawrence (@glassempires)
https://www.cbo.gov/data/budget-economic-data
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Threats against the UK, a sabotage campaign in Europe, a new front in Belarus. With his imperial war against Ukraine sputtering, Vladimir Putin is eager to change the subject. My latest column for Independence Avenue Media. www.indavemedia.com/commentary-p...
indavemedia.com
Commentary: Putin’s Escalation Psyop
Brian Whitmore is a contributor writing for Independence Avenue Media. The views expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Dan is correct danieldrezner.substack.com/p/so-how-is-...
danieldrezner.substack.com
So How Is The Concert of Trump Going?
Spoiler alert: it’s going very badly.
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Reposted by Brian Whitmore
Hope For Ukraine @hfu.org · 02/09/2026
A chapter for every reason not to give up. Defiant Hope: www.amazon.com/s?k=defiant+...
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Download MapQuest! substack.com/@lwinner/not...
substack.com
Lawrence Winnerman (@lwinner)
FUCK YOUUUUUU, APPLE MAPS!
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Kust downloaded MapQuest. You should too thegrimhistorian.substack.com/p/how-americ...
thegrimhistorian.substack.com
How America Got Its Name
America itself began as a runaway editorial decision. That’s exactly why we should refuse to rename Lake Ontario.
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Mr. Ratcliffe went to Moscow. But why? On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I hosted an all-star lineup of guests - Mike Carpenter, John Sipner @johnsipher.bsky.social , & James Sherr - to unpack the mystery. www.powervertical.org/2026/08/28/m...
powervertical.org
MR. RATCLIFFE GOES TO MOSCOW
powervertical · MR. RATCLIFFE GOES TO MOSCOW The U.S. spy chief made a secret trip to Moscow – but it turned out to be not so secret. With Russia’s war against Ukraine going poorly for …
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Thought it would be a good time to repost this www.youtube.com/watch?v=059l...
youtube.com
Gov. Pritzker Says Lake Michigan Is Now Called Lake Illinois
YouTube video by ABC 7 Chicago
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Reposted by Brian Whitmore
Mark Jones @markjonesmotion.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Fun fact: Dolly Parton spent decades quietly funding band uniforms and instruments at Black high schools across the South - never once putting her name on it. No headlines, no fanfare — just help, given because it was needed. Wonderful Heart ♥️ RIP Dolly ❤️
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
substack.com/@borowitzrep...
substack.com
Andy Borowitz (@borowitzreport)
Trump Signs Executive Order Renaming Montreal Canadiens "Montreal Americans"
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
substack.com/@andrewweins...
substack.com
Andrew Weinstein (@andrewweinstein)
So let me get this straight: In the middle of a grinding war, soaring prices, and a collapsing trade negotiation… the big strategic move is renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America”? We are living insid...
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
substack.com/@irishpoliti...
substack.com
The Irish Politics Newsletter (@irishpoliticsnewsletter)
Canadian PM Mark Carney. Elbows up!
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
substack.com/@borowitzrep...
substack.com
Andy Borowitz (@borowitzreport)
As long as we’re renaming things, let’s rename the Leader of the Free World “Mark Carney”
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
In my column for Independence Avenue Media this week, I reflect on 35 years of Ukrainian independence and examine the crucial choices Ukraine and Russia made in the early 1990s that explain both Ukraine's democracy and Russia's war against it. www.indavemedia.com/commentary-t...
indavemedia.com
Commentary: Tanks or Ballots — the 1990s Choice That Made Russia and Ukraine What They Are
Brian Whitmore is a contributor writing for Independence Avenue Media. The views expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This substack.com/@romansherem...
substack.com
Roman Sheremeta (@romansheremeta)
When I hear people say that vaccines cause autism, I try not to judge them. But from my personal experience, I often find that people who make this claim have never developed the critical thinking ski...
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Brian Whitmore @powervertical.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
substack.com/@heatherjeal...
substack.com
Heather Jeal (@heatherjeal209338)
I love this.
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