Topic: Russian State Duma

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Death of Russian-born boy in US reignites adoption debate

A 9-year-old Russian boy adopted by US parents died in a house fire last week, reminding Russians of several incidents of poor treatment of Russian orphans adopted by Americans.
After election setback, anti-Putin opposition takes struggle to the provinces

The intervention of Moscow's most prominent anti-Putin activists in a city 800 miles from the capital has put a local mayoral race on the national stage.
US-Russia 'reset' gets a boost with Russian offer of airbase

Russia has made an unprecedented offer that indicates a desire to improve ties ahead of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Putin puzzler: Russian leader accuses Clinton of spurring protests (VIDEO)

Vladimir Putin has stunned many with his statement that US Secretary of State Clinton is behind the protests in Russia over alleged vote rigging.
What Putin wants from China

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing today for a two-day visit, just days after calling for the creation of a 'Eurasian Union' of former soviet states.
Could Putin and Medvedev face off in an open Russian election?

Prime Minister Putin electrified observers this week by saying that neither he nor President Dmitry Medvedev had ruled out being candidates for president in 2012.
US Senate ratification of New START treaty keeps US-Russia 'reset' on track

The New START treaty could be ratified in Russia as early as Friday. But many pitfalls remain amid the US-Russia attempt to move away from cold war constraints.
Terrorism & Security
Hillary Clinton to continue push for START vote

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced she will press for a vote on the START nuclear arms treaty, despite opposition from Sen. John Kyl, a key Republican legislator.
Obama's US-Russia reset hangs on Senate approval of START treaty

If Obama fails to make good on his weekend vow to get Senate approval of the START nuclear arms control by January, Russia could turn toward China.
Global News Blog
Viktor Bout, weapons dealer, to be extradited to US from Thailand

Viktor Bout, the famed weapons dealer, can be extradited to the US, a Thai court ruled today. The so-called 'Merchant of Death' is accused of supplying dictators and warlords with weapons.
Russia's Medvedev to sign international adoption accord

When Russian President Medvedev visits Washington this week, he will sign a new agreement on international adoption.
Russian adoption to US suspended

Russian adoption to the US was suspended Thursday after a US family put their adopted child on a plane back to Russia. A US government delegation will travel to Moscow next week to clarify rules for international adoptions.
Protests topple Kyrgyz government, Roza Otunbayeva takes charge

Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appeared to confirm Thursday he had lost control of the country's armed forces as former ally Roza Otunbayeva took charge of a provisional Kyrgyz government.
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.
Obama and Medvedev step closer to nuclear weapons-free world

A phone call today between Barack Obama and Dmitri Medvedev sealed the deal for the US and Russia to reduce strategic nuclear weapons by almost one-third and to halve the number of delivery vehicles, such as missiles and bombers.
US Russia nuclear deal worries some in Moscow

A US Russia nuclear deal on reducing their arsenals has received global praise. But some in Russia worry that President Medvedev may have allowed too much leeway for the US to develop missile defense systems.
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.
Global News Blog
Putin seals Russia-Ukraine gas deal, boosting EU energy security

Russia made unexpected concessions to Ukraine, averting a winter gas stand-off. Some saw a second deal: Vladimir Putin supporting Yulia Tymoshenko to sideline her rival, pro-West President Viktor Yushchenko.
Global News Blog
Extradite Viktor Bout? Russia counters US pressure.

On Thursday, a Thai prosecutor said Thailand would resist US pressure to extradite Viktor Bout to the US. In August, a Thai court dropped all criminal charges against Bout, widely suspected of being a key player in the shadowy arms-smuggling world.
At UN, few signs of Russia warming to Obama, but nuclear cooperation may improve

Russian President Medvedev made few new concessions in response to the canceling of Russia's Eastern European missile-shield plan. But new ways to cooperate on threats like Iran's nuclear program and instability in Afghanistan are emerging.
Global News Blog
Secret Israeli deal to stop Russian S-300 missile sale to Iran?

Why have there been two, secret high-level meetings between Russian and Israeli leaders? Russia may be getting Israel's help with Georgia in exchange for halting missile sales to Iran.
Hugo Chávez deepens petroleum and military ties with Russia

Venezuelan leader recognizes Georgia breakaway states, South Ossetia and Abkhazia as added bonus during Moscow visit.
Global News Blog
Skype's a threat to Russian national security? So say Russian phone companies

Telecommunications companies, whose business is hurt by Skype, are calling the the VoIP software a threat to natitonal security because the government cannot eavesdrop on Internet calls.
Obama's visit to Russia stirs hope for a renewed partnership

Since President Obama took office, twice as many Russians report 'positive attitudes' toward the US. But skepticism continues to dominate ties between Washington and the Kremlin.
Global News Blog
Spy vs. spy: Russia, incensed at NATO war games, kicks out two Canadian diplomats

Could this be the end of the brief thaw between Russia and NATO?