Topic: Black Sea

Let Our Fame Be Great

Journalist Oliver Bullough delivers a detailed, moving history of the too often overlooked people of the Caucasus.

The Duel: movie review

'The Duel,' based on a Chekhov novella about an aristocrat who brings his married mistress to a Black Sea resort, plays out in a zone where comedy and tragedy are indistinguishable.

Methane's hidden impact in Gulf oil spill

Large quantities of methane released by BP's oil blowout aren't fouling beaches like the Gulf oil spill is, but could endanger a key link in the undersea food chain.

Russia bombing: Jihadis or sign of other trouble in north Caucasus?

A Russia bomb that killed six people in the Russian city of Stavropol has led to speculation about jihadis or Islamic militants. But analysts worry about a widening circle of instability – and players – in the north Caucasus.

Why Russia covets the Black Sea naval base of Sevastopol

Ukraine recently agreed to extend Russia's naval base lease for its Black Sea Fleet until 2042. One visit to Sevastopol, the port in Ukraine where the fleet is based, and it's immediately clear why Russia would be loathe to ever give up the base.

Russia deal puts Turkey on path to become nuclear energy nation

Turkey moved closer to becoming a nuclear energy nation after inking a deal with visiting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to build a nuclear power plant on the Mediterranean coast.

Ukraine's dangerous ode to Stalin

Doubt cast on Noah's ark found in Turkey

A group of Chinese and Turkish explorers announced this week they are '99.9 percent' sure of their discovery on Mt. Ararat. While Noah's ark found in Turkey would bolster Bible literalists, an American ark-hunter says the latest discovery could be a hoax.

Eggs flying in Parliament, Ukraine approves deal for closer Russia ties

The Ukraine parliament approved a deal today to extend a Russia naval lease on Sevastopol in exchange for cheaper gas, despite an egg-throwing fracas by enraged opposition members.

Polish president plane crash: Why so many Tu-154 crashes?

The Polish president plane crash this weekend will intensify scrutiny of the Tupolev Tu-154, a Russian-made jet that has been involved in several high-profile crashes in recent years.

Russia Islamist network takes shape as Caucasus hit by another terrorist attack

An attack in Ingushetia today, the fifth to shake Russia in a week, underscores the threat posed by an Islamist insurgent network that has emerged from the ashes of Chechnya's nationalist rebellion.

Echoing Moscow attack, Dagestan bombings underscore Russia's terrorism threat

In Russia's restive republic of Dagestan, bombings killed 12 people and injured 23 just two days after the devastating Moscow attack.

Opinion: Moscow metro bombings: Russia should reinvent how it handles terrorism

The recent Moscow metro bombings have deep historic and religious roots. Russia should reevaluate counterinsurgency policies, root out corruption, and counter the growth of radical Islam.

Beyond Iraq and Afghanistan, does Washington see the lurking threats against America?

Though focused on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US must mind other trouble spots.

Whistler and Vancouver: a tale of two Winter Olympics

Amplifying a recent trend, the 2010 Winter Olympics will be split between two cities – Vancouver and Whistler – almost completely separate from each other. Critics say it undermines the Olympic spirit of unity.

Ukraine heads back into the arms of Mother Russia

Despite a dispute over fraud allegations in the wake of Sunday's presidential vote in Ukraine, pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovich is set to become the next president in what will be a dramatic shift back to pro-Kremlin policies.

Ukraine braces for political showdown

Ukraine votes Feb. 7 in a runoff between bitter rivals Yulia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanukovych that some say could destabilize the democratic process.

Russian YouTube whistleblower, a cop, arrested on corruption charges

Russian policeman Alexei Dymovsky, who became famous in his homeland after he posted a video on YouTube alleging widespread police corruption, was arrested on corruption charges last week. Human rights campaigners say his arrest was "revenge."

Ukraine presidential race revives bitter rivalry

After voters on Sunday rejected incumbent President – and 'Orange Revolution' hero – Viktor Yushchenko, the Feb. 7 second round will revolve around the starkly differing styles of rivals Yulia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanukovich.

Ukraine election signals shift toward Russia. Was Orange Revolution for naught?

In Sunday presidential elections, Ukraine appears poised to shift back toward Russia, just five years after the Orange Revolution. Polls show its pro-Western leader Viktor Yushchenko with only 3 percent support.

It's cold outside. What happened to global warming?

The brutal cold snap that has put much of the Northern Hemisphere on ice this week doesn't disprove global warming or mean we're off the hook for greenhouse emissions.