The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.
The Daily Vertical is a video primer for Russia-watchers that appears Monday through Friday. Viewers can suggest topics via Twitter @PowerVertical or on the Power Vertical Facebook page.
A transcript of today's Daily Vertical can be found here.
NOTE TO POWER VERTICALISTAS: I will be in Washington, D.C., next week. There will be no Power Vertical products from January 22-26. The regular schedule resumes on January 29.