Topic: Caucasus

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Election 101: How an Iowa GOP caucus works

Confused about what the Iowa caucuses are, exactly? Here is a step-by-step explanation about what will happen in Iowa on the evening of Jan. 3 – the first presidential nominating contest of the 2012 season.
In Pictures: Rascally raccoons
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 03/22
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 12/09
In Pictures: Bombings in Russia

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War-ravaged Chechnya shows a stunning rebirth - but at what price?

Billions of dollars in aid from Moscow have helped to rapidly rebuild Chechnya – and President Ramzan Kadyrov has been given free rein to rule with an iron hand in exchange for peace.
With wildlife corridor, Turkey tackles an ecological crisis

In Turkey, where conservation tends to get short shrift, environmentalists are excited about a plan to create a 58,000-acre wildlife corridor in hopes of bolstering dwindling populations of wolves, bears, and lynxes.
Putin harnesses Russian nationalism to boost presidential bid

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says that multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot' but must find its own way.
Why Russia is planning Iran war games

Russia has reportedly ordered the military to plan war games to deal with potential spillover from a US-Iran conflict.
Russia worried about a nuclear Iran, but leery of US sanctions

Russia is wary of any international action similar to the UN resolution on Libya, which parlayed a mandate to protect civilians into a drive for regime change.
Election 101: How an Iowa GOP caucus works

Confused about what the Iowa caucuses are, exactly? Here is a step-by-step explanation about what will happen in Iowa on the evening of Jan. 3 – the first presidential nominating contest of the 2012 season.
Kremlin turns to more covert tactics to undermine Russia's protest movement

The Kremlin says it will allow opposition groups to hold a rally, but cases of preemptive arrests and phone-tapping show that it is still seeking to defeat the protest movement.
Ahead of Russian elections, quashed Ossetia vote embarrasses Moscow

The crushing of an apparently legitimate election victory in South Ossetia, a key client state of Moscow, could bring a fresh wave of unwanted attention to Russia's own problematic democracy.
The forgotten victims of 'Russia's 9/11'

Those injured or who lost loved ones in a wave of Sept. 1999 bombings in Russia feel that they have been abandoned by the Russian public, media, and government.
Russia, Georgia remain in distrustful deadlock on anniversary of 2008 war

The US Senate this week called on Russia to stop its 'occupation' of two breakaway enclaves that were once part of Georgia. But both sides appear to be hardening their positions.
Yelena Bonner: Are there any dissidents like her in Russia today?

Friends and colleagues of Soviet dissident Yelena Bonner, who died in Boston over the weekend, say today it's possible to work within the system – meaning true dissidents are rare.
In Pictures: Rascally raccoons
Russia's only war criminal Yury Budanov assassinated in Moscow

Yury Budanov served six years in prison for war crimes in Chechnya before his parole in 2009. His assassination could be a revenge attack or an attempt to stir ethnic strife.
Obama's crucial moment in Poland

At the dinner he co-hosts in Poland, President Obama has an opportunity to not merely rebuild relations with nations that have felt estranged in recent years; he should declare America’s enduring support for completion of a Europe that is truly whole, free, and at peace.
Russia emerges as Europe's most God-believing nation

Nearly 20 years after the collapse of the atheistic Soviet Union, a recent poll found that 82 percent of Russians classify themselves as religious believers. But far fewer subscribe to organized religion.
Russia praises bin Laden operation, seeks greater counterterror cooperation with US

Russia eliminated a number of top militant leaders. Russian experts warn that eliminating Osama bin Laden does not remove the threat of Al Qaeda attacks.
Blast rocks Minsk subway at rush hour, 7 reported killed

A blast at a metro station in the Belarusian capital Minsk killed seven people and injured about 50. The cause is not yet known.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 03/22
Report: Chechen women attacked with paintball guns for 'immodest' dress

According to Human Rights Watch, Chechnya's leader Ramzan Kadyrov has launched a 'virtue campaign' that includes punishing women for 'immodest' dress.
Biden in Moscow for talks but Libya may steal the show

Arab world turmoil could overshadow Vice President Biden's visit to Moscow. Medvedev is opposed establishing a no-fly zone in Libya.
Save America's foreign policy budget

A choice between a robust US diplomatic program and a healthy federal budget is a false one. As events in the Arab world show, now is not the time to whack the State Department's budget.
In Russia, accusations of corruption taint even Olympics mascot selection

In weekend voting for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics mascot, Russians chose a wide-eyed, snowboard-toting leopard. But many claim the vote was rigged to ensure Prime Minister Putin's favored mascot would win.
Guardian reporter expelled from Russia in cold war echo

Luke Harding, Moscow correspondent of Britain's Guardian newspaper, was told that 'Russia is closed to you.' Even in Soviet times, expulsions of international journalists was rare and usually connected with a diplomatic crisis.
Terrorism & Security
Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov claims responsibility for Moscow airport attack

In a video posted online late Monday, Doku Umarov says he ordered the Moscow airport attack and his forces will carry out more attacks if Russia does not grant the Caucasus independence.
Chechen terrorist issues stark video warning to Russians

Russia's most wanted terrorist, Chechen Doku Umarov, warned Muscovites of an upcoming wave of suicide assaults. His video comes just two weeks after a suicide attack at Domodedovo airport.