Topic: Republic of Georgia

Hillary Clinton slams Russia over Georgia: Why Russia shrugs

Hillary Clinton criticized Russia's description of Georgia and Ukraine as part of Russian 'zones of influence.' During her five-nation visit to the region she also signed a missile defense deal with Poland. Why is Russian reaction so mild?

Hillary Clinton blasts Russia for not honoring cease-fire with Georgia

Hillary Clinton rebuked Russia on Monday for failing to live up to the cease-fire agreement it signed nearly two years ago with Georgia.

Russian spies: US case could derail Medvedev, boost Putin

Russian spies case is believed in Moscow to be a plot by US hawks to undermine the US-Russia relationship. It could also hurt Medvedev's chances of beating Putin, an ex-KGB agent, in 2012 elections.

Josef Stalin statue dismantled in the middle of the night

Josef Stalin monument, displayed in his hometown of Gori, was dismantled before dawn on Friday.

Russian rocket set to launch Tuesday with new crew

A Russian rocket is set to launch toward the International Space Station Tuesday carrying two American astronauts and one veteran Russian cosmonaut.

Top 10 military spending nations; oil countries post biggest jumps this decade

Despite a global recession, worldwide military spending increased in 2009 by its fastest pace since 2003, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Chad boosted spending by 663 percent. The US still has the biggest defense budget.

Georgia elections a triumph for Saakashvili

The first Georgia elections since the country's defeat in its brief war with Russia in 2008 were a triumph for President Mikhael Saakashvili. His party rolled to victory in major cities, and observers said the poll was reasonably fair.

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.

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.

Opinion: Georgia President Saakashvili: Russian hostility won't sap our commitment to democracy

Mikheil Saakashvili says Russian hostility has helped turn Georgia into a democratic laboratory for the region, and argues that true security cannot be separated from democracy.

Polish president plane crash tests Polish, Russian leaders

Polish leaders appear to be quickly picking up the pieces after the tragic Polish president plane crash, which also killed much of Poland's political elite.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski plane crash death could strain Poland-Russia ties

The commemoration of the Katyn massacre was meant to be a key 'forgive and forget' moment for Poland and Russia. It may now be overshadowed by the tragic death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, riding in a Russian-built aircraft.

The Monitor's View: Nuclear treaty and an overthrow in Kyrgyzstan: two sides of Russia

Even as Obama and Medvedev signed the START nuclear weapons treaty, Vladimir Putin was supporting the new government in Kyrgyzstan, where he wants the US to give up its military base. The US should have its eyes wide open about the promise of a "reset" in relations.

Can US supply Afghanistan war without Kyrgyzstan's Manas airfield?

The US military may retain access to Manas airfield – a key transit hub for the Afghanistan war – despite the turmoil in Kyrgyzstan. But given the weakness of other supply routes, the loss would deal a major blow.

The Monitor's View: START treaty on nuclear weapons -- a first step to reset US-Russia relations

Not long ago, relations between the US and Russia were quite frosty. New Presidents Obama and Medvedev are set to sign the START pact limiting nuclear weapons. Will the treaty lead to closer cooperation on Iran, Afghanistan, and arms control?

Yanukovich kills Ukraine's bid to join NATO

Russia-leaning president Viktor Yanukovich has scrapped Ukraine's plans to join the Western military alliance, dissolving the commissions on European and NATO integration established after the Orange Revolution.

UN Haiti conference: more than 100 countries pledge $15 billion

The UN's Haiti donor conference resulted in $15 billion in pledges over the short and long term. It is seen as a test of whether such massive rebuilding programs can work.

Georgia opposition leader slams Russian invasion hoax in interview

Nino Burdzhanadze told the Monitor she believes that Saakashvili ordered the Russian invasion hoax to sow anti-Russia panic and tar Georgia's opposition, which has been calling for his resignation for more than a year.

Russian invasion hoax has Georgia opposition in uproar

A fake TV report in Georgia that claimed a Russian invasion was in progress and that President Mikhael Saakashvili had been killed has drawn fury from citizens and the political opposition.

Georgia's Saakashvili pushed an act for economic liberty

Russia suspends Iran arms sale following Israeli PM's visit to Moscow

Russia decided to delay the delivery of S-300 air defense missiles to Iran a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The delay is expected to further strain relations between Moscow and Tehran.

In Moscow, Netanyahu presses for Iran sanctions 'with teeth'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won assurances Monday that Russia will will 'hold off' on supplying Iran with advanced S-300 air defense missiles, but it's still unlikely Russia will back sanctions against Iran, analysts say.