Topic: Moscow
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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What is Russia thinking on Syria? A brief guide
As the crisis in Syria collapses into what looks like full-blown civil war, Russia's response stems from a complicated mix of principle, self-interest, mistrust of Western motives, and differing perceptions of the situation.
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4 ways US and Iran can make nuclear talks work
The Moscow talks on Iran’s nuclear program ended in stalemate June 19, as both cynics and optimists anticipated. While low-level experts will meet in July, the next set of sanctions against Iran are scheduled to kick in within weeks, arguably restarting the whole negotiating process. The next time around, the parties should consider broadening their approach in these four ways.
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For Paul McCartney's Birthday: The Top 40 McMoments
On former Beatle Paul McCartney's 70th birthday, here are 40 memorable moments from his musical life.
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3 ways the US can start an economic 'reset' with Russia
After Russian President Vladimir Putin canceled his trip to Camp David for the G8 Summit this weekend, tensions between Russia and the US are running high. The United States must design a new relationship with this often difficult leader and his country. Washington needs a new reset that includes these three key components:
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3 new novels grapple with questions of mortality
Three new works of fiction address themes of mortality, including a ghost – in an Anne Tyler novel.
All Content
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Is Russia trying a dead whistle-blower because of a US law?
The US recently enacted legislation targeting those Russian officials involved in the 2009 death of whistle-blowing lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, spurring an angry reaction from the Kremlin.
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Terrorism & Security
UN envoy: Without deal in Syria, think Somalia not YugoslaviaThe United Nations' envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi argued against hopes that the country could find stability by devolving into a set of smaller states.
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UN Envoy warns of mass death next year in Syria
The international envoy to Syria emphasized the deteriorating situation in the country, and called for a quick end to the conflict, warning hundreds of thousands could die next year.
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Opinion: Putin shows Russian insecurity in signing ban on US adoption of orphans
Russia's ban on US adoption of orphans is retaliation for a US law that targets human-rights abusers in Russia. Moscow's response reveals one of its greatest weaknesses, a deep-seated national sense of insecurity. Now Russians themselves must demand better for their children.
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Russia urges Damascus to talk with Syrian opposition
Russia, Syria's biggest international supporter, is leaning on President Bashar al-Assad to begin a dialogue with the Syrian opposition and take steps toward ending the conflict.
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Syrian conflict threatens to fracture Iraq
Semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan and the central Iraqi government are on a collision course as the Kurds increasingly side with the Syrian opposition and Baghdad stands by the Assad regime.
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Terrorism & Security
UN envoy tries to revive Syria peace planThe plan from UN special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, is unlikely to gain traction without more concessions to the Syrian opposition.
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Assad sends envoy to Moscow for talks on ending Syria's conflict
The Syrian senior diplomat is expected to discuss the UN mediator's proposals for ending the conflict. Russia, meanwhile, has signaled growing acceptance of President Assad exiting power.
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Doing the Lindy for fun and exercise in Moscow
A forbidden cultural import during the cold war, American swing dance and rock 'n' roll are now seeing a jump in popularity among Russians who embrace the retro Americana.
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Global News Blog
Deep emotions run beneath Russia's adoption banThe Duma's bill to ban US adoptions of Russian children, which passed another legislative hurdle today, appeals to Russian pride and concerns about the US.
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Putin, EU likely to remain at odds
Disputes between Russia and the European Union are wide-ranging. Contentious topics will likely be under discussion at Friday's meeting in Brussels between leaders of the two political powerhouses.
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Opinion: Obama must remind Vladimir Putin of human rights, religious freedom concerns
Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has passed a succession of anti-human rights laws curtailing freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Parliament might even pass a proposed blasphemy law that clearly would violate religious freedom. President Obama must speak out.
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Putin presser: chilling news for orphans, but warm words for Depardieu (+video)
In a lengthy session, Russian President Putin backed a bill banning US adoption of Russian children – but offered residency to Gérard Depardieu, who renounced his French citizenship over high taxes.
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Pressure mounts on Obama to change tactics on Iran
In a letter to the White House, Iran experts insisted diplomacy, not further sanctions, will have the best results. But US actions since then indicate more sticks than carrots.
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Russian trio heads for space station
The spacecraft launched from a Russian-leased manned-space facility in Kazakhstan with an American, a Canadian, and a Russian on board.
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What's behind Russia's bill banning US adoptions?
The bill had originally been a smaller, tit-for-tat response to US legislation, but the Russian Duma has expanded it into a much broader anti-American measure that even Putin may not approve.
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Newtown shooting highlights Russia's gun-control debate
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called for further strengthening of Russia's already strict gun-control laws on Monday, but some Russians argue more guns would make the public safer.
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Global sympathy for Newtown, antipathy for US gun laws (+video)
Even as observers around the world mourned the teachers and children killed in Newtown, many expressed frustration with a US political system that has left guns so easily accessible.
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US Magnitsky Law draws Kremlin ire – but many Russians support it
The new law, enacted in the US last week to target Russians involved in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, has infuriated the Kremlin, which sees it as a 'purely political, unfriendly act.'
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Terrorism & Security
Russia insists it stands by Syria's Assad, despite earlier comments (+video)The Russian deputy foreign minister said yesterday that the Syrian regime might fall – a bold declaration because Russia has been a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad.
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Syria's rebels, US urge Moscow to help push Assad into ceding power
Both rebel leadership and the United States urged the Russian government to help push Syria's President Bashar al-Assad into ceding power and end the battles closing in around his capital.
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The Monitor's View: Putin's drive for Russian identity
In a big speech Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin said Russians lack 'spiritual braces.' He joins other world leaders who recently made similar warnings about their people. Should governments, especially those with weak democratic credentials, be promoting moral values?
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Russia, NATO: Assad could lose Syria to rebels (+video)
Opposition fighters have seized large swaths of territory in northern Syria along the border with Turkey and appear to be expanding their control outside of Damascus.
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Russia: Assad is losing control of Syria
Russia is the Syrian government's most powerful international ally. Its declaration that President Bashar al-Assad is losing control of Syria is a major blow to the regime.
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In human rights spat, Russia poised to target US adoptive parents
After the US Congress approved a bill to punish Russian officials involved in human rights abuses, Moscow is set to blacklist Americans accused of violating Russians' rights – including US parents accused of abusing adoptive children from Russia.
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