Russia

Moscow Cuts Odds on Assad's Survival: '10%'

Sources close to the Kremlin say Russian leaders have a grim view of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's future as a leader; no to asylum.

Russia NGOs Foreign Agents

New Law Would Demonize Foreign Funded Russian NGOs

The United Russia Party believes it can choke off the protest movement with punitive laws

Russian Chief Rabbi, Top Officials Visit Joseph's Tomb

In the late hours of Saturday night, the Chief Rabbi and other high-ranking officials from Russia visited Joseph's Tomb in Samaria.

Israel Convinces Russia to Cancel Syrian S-300 Deal

Israel played a major role in influencing Russia to cancel its planned sale of the S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria.

Putin to Attend Unveiling of Red Army Monument in Israel

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to attend the unveiling of a Red Army World War II Victory Monument in Netanya Monday.

Lavrov: Don't Threaten Iran Over its Nuclear Program

Russia's Foreign Minister: Iran should not face threats over its nuclear program, a quick settlement of the standoff isn't realistic.

Report: Iran, Russia, China, Syria Plan Massive War Games

Iran, Russia, China and Syria are planning a war games exercise with 90,000 troops, Iranian media reports.

Report Reveals Assad's 'Shopping List' from Russia

The Associated Press reveals some weapons systems Russia has recently shipped to Syria or pledged to deliver.

Russia, US Nearing Proxy War in Syria

France wants UN to call for "all means" to end Syrian carnage.Russia accused the US of arming Syrian rebels. Cold War or proxy war?

Putin Bets On Chinese Alliance

Putin's Lengthy China Stay Demonstrates Foreign Policy Tilt

Putin is doubling his bet on an alliance with China and may upgrade its military dimensions.

Russia Willing to See Assad Leave in 'Political Settlement'

Russia is willing to see Syria's President Bashar al-Assad leave power – but not by force; rather, as part of a “political settlement.”

Russia Has World’s Largest Nuke Arsenal – 10,000 Warheads

Russia, which is helping Iran’s nuclear projects, has the most nuclear warheads of any country in the world, says a Stockholm institute.

‘Flame’ Virus Designed to Steal Iranian-Russian Blueprints

The “Flame” virus is 20 times bigger than Stuxnet and was aimed at stealing blueprints, presumably of nuclear facilities.

Language War Rocks Rada

Ukranian Parliament Fisticuffs Highlight Linguistic Divide

The bill making Ukrainian an official language in the Ukraine treads on painful cleavage.

Russia's Putin to Visit Israel Next Month

Secret contacts between the Kremlin and the PMO lead to a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Israel next month.

Putin Tightens His Grip

Putin Has Competing Hierarchies By Porting Cabinet To Kremlin

In a throwback to the USSR, Russia again has parallel hierarchies.

Young Moscow Jew Laid to Rest, Murdered Trying to Stop Brawl

A young Moscow Jew was murdered this past weekend when he tried to stop a brawl between two Gentile gangs.

Russia: More Countries Now Favor Iran Attack

Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov says Russia is worried by "signals" of growing support for an attack on Iran.

Why Is Putin A G8 No-Show?

Putin Decision To Skip G8 Arouses Speculation On Motivations

Putin will send number 2 Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev to the Camp David G-8. Russians deny this is a snub.

Russia: Medvedev and Putin Swap Jobs

Russia's outgoing president Dmitry Medvedev confirmed as prime minister; former PM Vladimir Putin returns for his third term as President

Back In The USSR

Russia Threatens Arms Race And Preemptive Strike Against ABMs

Analysis: Russia, on the eve of a missile defense conference in Moscow, threatened a dire response if NATO goes ahead with its plans.

Yankees Don't Go Home

Russia's Lavrov Criticizes NATO For Artificial Withdrawal Timing

The NATO Secretary General politely told the Russians to put up or shut up.

India Still Plays It Neutral

India Endorses Sino-Russian Stance At Trilateral Moscow Meeting

India endorsed a communique that should please Moscow and Beijing.at a foreign ministers' meeting in Moscow.

Do US Missile Defense Plans Herald Iran Strike?

Moscow fears US moves to create a missile defense shield in the Middle East signals preparations for a strike on Iran's nuclear sites

Russian Plane Crash in Siberia Kills 32

In an ongoing string of high-profile aviation accidents that increasingly characterize Russia's civil air sector, another plan has gone down

Medvedev Gives Farewell Gift

Russian Opposition Believes Electoral Reform Bill A Cruel Hoax

Having complained about being prevented from contesting elections, the Russian opposition is wary of Medvedev's extreme makeover.

Obama Denies Secret Russian 'Nuclear Agenda'

US president Barack Obama sought to allay damage from his second high profile open mic gaffe saying he was not hatching secret plots.

Security Council in Toothless Show on Syria

The UNSC has made a non-binding 'presidential statement' calling for a ceasefire and talks in Syria based on envoy Kofi Annan's proposals.

Russia Fears 'Nuclear Arms Race'

Moscow claims a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities would prompt Tehran to build nuclear bombs and set off a regional arms race.

Videos of Assad’s Thug Squads

Videos emerge of Assad loyalists executing rebels and throwing bodies off rooftops. Russia is suspected of sending troops to help Assad.

Report: Syria Imported 6 Times More Weapons Between 2007-2011

Syria imported six times more weapons between the years 2007 and 2011 than in previous years, says a Stockholm-based institute.

Russia Frustrated With Assad

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov made a rare show of public pique over Assad's slow adoption of recommended reforms in Syria.

Russia Asked to Warn Iran of 'Last Chance'

The US has asked Russia to tell Iran that upcoming nuclear talks with the major powers are a 'last chance' to avoid a military strike.

Syrian Troops Murder 55 in Idlib Massacre

In the second mass execution this week, forces loyal to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad murder 55 in Idlib; UN remains deadlocked.

Moscow Refuses to Stop Arms Sales to Syria

Russia insists on fulfilling its 'contractual obligations' to provide arms to Syria even as reports of war crimes by Assad's regime emerge.

It's Time For Arab Apartheid Week

Demonstration in Tel Aviv protesting Syrian bloodshed and the regime's heinous human rights violations, as part of Arab Apartheid Week.

Russia Accuses Libya of Aiding Syrian Rebels

Russia’s envoy to the UN claims the Libyan government is supporting a training camp for Syrian rebels.

EU Recalls Ambassadors from Belarus

The EU has imposed sanctions on Belarus in response to government brutality against protesters. Both sides have recalled ambassadors.

Iran Aiming Missiles at US, Israel Warns

Iran is pouring money into developing intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach the US, Israel warned Wednesday.

EU Backs Arab League in Call for Syria Peace-Keepers

The European Union says it supports a peace-keeping mission to Syria, but Russia says Damascus must agree first; fighting continues

Russian Official: Israeli 'Talk' on Iran Dangerous

A Russian official warned Israel that its tough stance on Iran's nuclear weapons program could have “catastrophic consequences.”

Video: Syrian Bombs Civilian Homes

Assad staged a celebratory welcome for visiting Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov while his army escalated bombings of civilian homes.

Muslim Leader Calls for Boycott of Russia and China

Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi calls to boycott Russian and Chinese products because of their veto at the UN Security Council.

What Makes Russia & China Veto

Analysis: Why Did Russia and China Veto UN Resolution on Syria?

Russia and China's fears of instability, investment losses and Muslim extremists are behind UN Security Council Resolution veto on Syria.

Syria Condemns Arab League Pullout

The Syrian government has condemned a decision by the Arab League to pull its monitors from the raging civil war zone.

Russia: 'We Can Do No More' for Syria

Moscow has reached its limit and says it can "do no more" to help Syria's President Bashar al-Assad remain in power.

EU Appoints New Mideast Envoy, Germany's Andreas Reinicke

The European Union has appointed a new Middle East envoy; Andreas Reinicke, Germany’s ambassador to Syria.

Russia Sells Syria Yak-130 Light Fighters

Moscow has agreed to sell the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad combat aircraft as his regime continues to teeter.

Iran Scoffs at Western Sanctions

Iran says Western sanctions are having no effect because demand for its oil outstrips its customers' other concerns.

Russia Protecting Iran from West

Russia stepped up to protect Iran from Western interference Wednesday, warning that further sanctions would only "stifle" the economy.

Russia: Attack on Tehran is Attack on Moscow

Russia has given Iran its bear hug and warns Israel and the West that an attack on Tehran would be considered an attack on Moscow.

Russia Suspected of Sending Ammo to Assad

Russia last week managed to outsmart the EU sanctions against Syria and slipped a ship filled with bullets through to the port of Tartus.

Church Will Not Abandon Putin

Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church Are Bosom Buddies

Those predicting an estrangement between Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church ignore their shared approach.

Siberia: Satellite Fragments Land on Cosmonaut Street

Fragments of a Russian satellite that failed to launch properly have landed on Cosmonaut Street in a Siberian village.

Russia Surprises West With Harder Syria Stance

Russia submitted a UN security council draft criticizing the regime of Bashar al-Assad, but stopped short of calling for sanctions.

Russian Opposition Uncohesive

They Got Together in a Demonstration but Can They Stay United

One demonstration does not make a spring. The opposition must demonstrate cohesiveness or succumb to divide and rule.

50,000 Protest Putin's Rule in Moscow

In the biggest protests since the fall of the Soviet Union, some 50,000 people approached the Kremlin to protest the rule of Vladimir Putin.

Putin: Hillary Clinton's to Blame for Voter Protests in Russia

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of stirring the pot in Moscow over this week's parliamentary vote.

Foreign Minister: Russian Posture 'Not Helpful'

After meeting with Russian PM Vladimir Putin, FM Lieberman said Russia's Mideast positions were "not helpful' despite 'good relations'

Gorbachev: Annul Elections, Vote Again

Former Soviet Premier calls to annul elections and vote again amid widespread allegations of election fraud in Russia.