RT asks

How realistic is the image of Russia presented in the West?

ROAR: Moldovan PM hopes for “principal talk” with Russian counterpart Only serious geopolitical shifts in the region may change the situation with the Transdniester Republic, analysts believe.

“Europe should overcome inertia in politics and mentality” Europe should overcome dividing lines and prejudices of the past and work towards a common security platform for the entire Euro-Atlantic region, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrey Nesterenko.

“Progress in Russia–US relationship will continue” – Henry Kissinger Despite the US and Russia having a long history of discord, the progress in the countries’ relations will continue, Henry Kissinger, US Secretary of State 1973-1977, told RT.

Tajikistan and Russia: partnership for stability in Central Asia Russia’s Central Asian neighbor shares many of Moscow’s same concerns, and this has helped to forge a dynamic partnership between the two countries.

Georgian soldiers become political asset 173 is a company. A company of the 23rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade of the Georgian army, that is. And they're off to join the thousands-strong crowd already fighting in Afghanistan.

“I imagine Chairman Mao and Deng Xiaoping’s reaction to Obama” If the late leaders of Communist China were to witness an American President visit their country, not to lecture but to call it a peer, they would call it quite a sight, jokes author and journalist Pepe Escobar.

ROAR: Russia delays startup of Iranian nuclear plant in Bushehr Many analysts see political rather than technical reasons behind Russia’s decision to conduct more tests of equipment at the nuclear facility in Iran.

US Congressman’s links with Iran: new blow for two countries’ ties There has been another blow to American-Iranian relations as new information shows that a US congressman’s links with Iran may have been the reason he resigned from the House of Representatives in 2006.

How long can US finance war in Afghanistan? The US administration has made estimates of the future financial cost of war with the Taliban. What will the expense of the counterterrorism operations be to US taxpayers?

Will the UN endorse Palestinian statehood? Israel cries foul as Palestine says it will make a formal request to the UN Security Council for the recognition of its independence.

Medvedev briefs soldiers on arms and history While other leaders are heading home from the APEC summit in Singapore, Russian President Medvedev has been onboard the Russian Navy warship “Varyag”. There he talked to sailors on different issues of state importance.

ROAR: “US halfway to Russia’s position on new START treaty” The preparation of a new treaty on strategic offensive arms reduction and the Iranian nuclear program remain the two key points of Russian-US relations, the media say.

We can do without Russia’s missiles – Iran Iran says it could soon have the technology to produce its own missile defense system. A senior Iranian lawmaker explained that Tehran may go it alone if Russia fails to provide it with air defense missiles.

Medvedev and Obama talk START, Iran Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has met his American counterpart Barack Obama on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific forum in Singapore. The two leaders focused on a new nuclear arms reduction agreement and other issues.

Former US ambassador seduced by multi-billion dollar oil deal A Norwegian financial newspaper claims a former US ambassador and advisor to the Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq stands to profit from the country's vast oil resources.

“Deep nuke cuts impossible unless other nuclear states join US and Russia” Russia and the US are negotiating a new nuke reduction treaty. But it’s necessary that other nuclear states get involved in such talks, the Director of the Nuclear Information Project, Hans Kristensen, told RT.

Will Asia prove resilient to Obamania? As US President Barack Obama kicks off his week-long tour of Asian capitals, he does so with American power severely challenged, and Russia watching closely.

ROAR: “President’s surprise for non-profit organizations” New approaches of the state in different spheres should help the chief task of modernizing the country, analysts say, commenting on the president’s address to the parliament.

Kosovo has no place for returning Serbians Kosovo has come under fire for failing to create conditions for the return of refugees who left the disputed territory ten years ago.

START ending, but US and Russia still agree on nuke verification The main details of a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty have already been worked out and now the US and Russia have to agree on verification and warheads counting issues, non-proliferation expert Peter Crail told RT.

Medvedev puts Russian military on fast track President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday dedicated part of his annual parliamentary speech to beefing up the Russian military - and without delay.

"Medvedev’s openness – key to a new Russia" In his address to the Federal Assembly, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said that Russia needs the input of its entire population to remain strong and develop further.

“Medvedev is pushing for more political competition” In his first state of the nation address to the Federal Assembly, Dmitry Medvedev proposed a set of political reforms aimed at widening peoples participation in politics and encouraging more political competition.

“Russia should not pose as superior to other nations” Prioritizing the economy, modernizing the industrial sector, and cooperative foreign policy with international partners were the key issues pointed out by three Russian analysts in response to the presidential address.

ROAR: “US lacks clear approach to Asia” The White House is trying to shift “the center of international politics to the Asia-Pacific region,” analysts say.

The 100 million dollar question When Russia’s military intelligence arm (GRU) released information that a private arms manufacturer will supply Georgia with more than $100 million worth of military funding, the news did not make waves in Tbilisi.

What’s behind resignation of Obama’s communications director? A year after stepping into office, the US President is shaking up his first team, and his Communications Chief is first on the block. Ivan Eland from the Independent Institute told RT what he thinks is behind the move.

US “playing footsie” with Honduran junta The de facto government in Honduras is taking full advantage of mixed signals coming from the US, says RT contributor Wayne Madsen.

More troops to Afghanistan won’t solve problem – Russia Sending more US forces to Afghanistan will hardly help stabilize the situation without strengthening Afghan law enforcement bodies, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrey Nesterenko said Wednesday.

STARTing over Moscow and Washington are working together to beat the clock on signing a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) before the current agreement expires on December 5, 2009.

RT asks

Creating extra carbon to talk climate change

Azerbaijan-Armenia territory talks: force may be used if no results

Hiddink thinks about quitting coaching career?

“Next EU-Russia summits will take place according to the new rules”

United Russia party should change itself – Russian president

Youth group vows to get “Putin’s granny” out of psychiatric clinic

Russia-Germany: strategic partners in Europe and Asia

ROAR: “Saakashvili will devour Yushchenko’s tie”

Vietnam War vet fasts for peace

In condoms we trust: can contraceptives cool the planet?

Corruption clouds ability to address economic reform

Prime Ministers put on smiles to fend off new gas dispute

PPP puts toll roads into overdrive

Russian girl Wins Silver at 2009 Junior Eurovision

Remembering Mstislav Rostropovich

The forbidden fruit of political irony in art

Hiddink thinks about quitting coaching career?

Skiing chiefs threaten Russian Olympic committee

Rubin claim Russian football crown for second consecutive year

Remember the Large Hadron Collider? It’s alive & kicking!

Cannibals survived brain disease epidemic thanks to a mutation

Fusion power project launch date doubted