RIA Novosti

Russia, USA are doomed to remain potential enemies

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:17:00 GMT

The cold war is long gone but its legacy however is having enormous influence on the present system of international relations. Although today’s global security is based on such restrictive factors as various international treaties and organizations, many experts believe that a decisive role still belongs to nuclear deterrence.

The Soviet Union’s crucial role in German reunification

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:17:18 GMT

Germany marked the 20th anniversary of reunification on October 3. Enough time has passed for it to be possible to consider the successes and challenges encountered over that period.

Death penalty: crime or punishment?

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 09:42:00 GMT

The death penalty has always been a controversial issue. Despite the fact that more than half of the world has officially banned capital punishment, opinion polls indicate an overwhelming support for such measure.

Will Russia benefit from Arctic exploration?

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:56:00 GMT

This week Moscow hosts International Arctic Forum. The world’s attention to the Arctic increased dramatically over the last decade. We have gradually come to realize the importance of this region. Anatoly Dmitriyevsky, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Director of the Academy’s Institute of Oil and Gas Problems shares his views on political and ecological future of the Arctic.

Ban Ki-Moon: Only half of $100 billions committed by rich delivered to poor

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:06:00 GMT

The U.N. Summit on the Millennium Development Goals starts in New York on September 20, three days ahead of the General debates at the U.N. General Assembly session attended by the world leaders. On the eve of these major international events, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon outlines his priorities during the upcoming discussions, talks about the role of Russia in the world, and his position on the Iranian nuclear issue – in an interview to Dmitry Gornostaev, the RIA Novosti New York Bureau Chief

Russia sets up its own Silicon Valley

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:57:08 GMT

The Skolkovo Innovation Center is the largest project in contemporary Russia focused on developing the country’s research and technology capacity. In this interview with RIA Novosti’s Samir Shakhbaz, Anatoly Alexandrov, rector of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, shares his views of the project’s prospects and difficulties, compares this innovation center to Silicon Valley and discusses major joint projects between Skolkovo and his university.

Russian-Chinese security grouping may become counterweight to NATO

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:04:00 GMT

Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries took part in anti-terror exercises on September 9, 2010. Konstantin Sivkov, first vice president of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems, talks to RIA Novosti’s Samir Shakhbaz about the role the SCO plays in resolving current important military, political and economic issues and what the organization will look like in the future.

Russia seeks to maintain balanced relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:22:00 GMT

In less than a fortnight after Russia signed a deal with Armenia Russian president Dmitry Medvedev heads to Baku to discuss the urgent issues with the Azerbaijani government.

The South Caucasus and the Russia-Turkey-Iran geopolitical triangle

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:12:55 GMT

In connection with the recent visits of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to Armenia and Azerbaijan political analyst Viktor Nadein-Rayevsky, a senior fellow of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations assesses geopolitical situation in the region and gives his opinion on the ambitions of other regional powers – Turkey and Iran.

Russia has a good chance to host World Cup in 2018

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:04:00 GMT

In mid-August FIFA inspectors visited Russia to see for themselves the country bidding for the 2018 World Cup. They attended the bidding committee’s presentations and toured four cities to inspect the stadiums that could host the World Cup. What was their impression of Russia? What are our chances to win the bid? Alexei Smertin, a former captain for the Russian national football team, member of the Altai Territory legislature and the sports director of Russia’s bidding committee, has first-hand information.

Ozzy tells Russian fans to 'go crazy' at his shows in St. Petersburg, Moscow

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:55:00 GMT

Legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne is touring the world again and among other venues the 'Prince of Darkness' will perform in Russia's St. Petersburg on September 11 and in Moscow on September 13. In an interview with RIA Novosti correspondents Yevgeny Ionov and Irina Gordon, Ozzy shares his thoughts about new album Scream, the upcoming concerts and his impression about Russia and Russian fans.

U.S. operation in Iraq is over: controversial results

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:29:30 GMT

U.S. President Barack Obama has kept his election promise so far: the U.S. is currently on track to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. In what state will the United States leave Iraq? Dr. Alexander Shumilin (Ph.D. in History) heads the Center for Middle East Conflict Analysis at the Institute for U.S. and Canadian Studies. In an interview with Samir Shakhbaz, he speaks about the consequences of the near decade-long presence of American troops in Iraq.

Russian ban on grain export has intended effect

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:33:18 GMT

The Russian government imposed a ban on the export of grain from August 15 to December 31, after abnormally hot and dry weather destroyed the grain harvest in almost 11 million hectares of land across central Russia.

Zlobin: The forum may point to a way out of the intellectual deadlock

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:41:22 GMT

The global policy forum “The Modern State: Standards of Democracy and Criteria of Efficiency” will take place in early September in Yaroslavl. Nikolai Zlobin, a prominent political scientist and director of the Russia and Eurasia Project at the World Security Institute (USA) will attend the forum. In an interview with RIA Novosti, he spoke about his expectations for the event.

Professor Naumkin expects second global policy forum to generate new ideas

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:36:00 GMT

Professor Vitaly Naumkin, the director of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oriental Studies, speaks about his expectations of “The Modern State: Standards of Democracy and Criteria of Efficiency” Global Policy Forum, which will open in Yaroslavl in Russia next month.

Professor Naumkin expects second global policy forum to generate new ideas

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:36:00 GMT

Russia to return to global grain market

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:52:48 GMT

Has Russia lost its position on the world grain market and how soon will it be before it resumes grain exports? RIA Novosti finds out in an interview with Agroinvestor’s editor-in-chief, Nikolai Lychev.

Afghanistan – more questions than answers at this stage

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:59:00 GMT

Interview with Zamir Kabulov, Director of the Second Asian Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, for RIA Novosti

Blackseafor exercises strengthen security on the Black Sea

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:44:03 GMT

The Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group (Blackseafor) is holding regularly scheduled exercises on the Black Sea. Political analyst Viktor Nadein-Rayevsky, a senior fellow of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations, shared his views on Blackseafor’s activities and the development of this collective security system on the Black Sea.

Venezuela, Colombia embark on rapprochement course

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:34:00 GMT

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez met with Colombia’s new President Juan Manuel Santos on August 10, 2010, for talks aimed at restoring diplomatic ties and solving the festering problems between the two countries. The meeting took place in the Colombian city of Santa Maria at the request of Hugo Chavez, just a few days after President Santos was sworn in.

Israeli-Palestinian tensions – prelude to the war against Iran

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:23:52 GMT

After a relatively calm summer, the Israeli-Palestinian stand-off might develop into a full-scale military confrontation once again. The only difference: today, Israel is like never before ready to bomb Iran, which Tel Aviv holds responsible for sponsoring such military groups as Hamas in the Palestinian territories and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The president of the Institute for Middle Eastern Studies shares his opinion on the possible developments in the region. Interview by Samir Shakbhaz.

Russia and India hold joint military exercises

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:10:00 GMT

Ahead of the scheduled Russian-Indian naval exercises, in which the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky will take part, Tatiana Shaumyan, director of the Center for Indian Studies at the Institute of Asian Studies, discusses the state of Russian-Indian relations and the prospects for defence cooperation between the two countries. Interview by Igor Chekunov.

Russia and India hold joint military exercises

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:10:00 GMT

Magnetic apocalypse 2012

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:58:00 GMT

Interview with doctor Anatoly Levitin, head of the geomagnetic variations laboratory at the Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radiowave Propagation of the Russian Academy of Sciences. When will the Earth’s magnetic poles change? What are the possible consequences? And is there any scientific ground to expect the Doomsday in 2012?

“We must find alternative fuel”

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:32:00 GMT

What are the major dangers for energy supplies in the world today? What can we do to ensure a safe future? The answers come in an interview with energy security expert Ismail Agakishiev, PhD in History, Associate Professor at the History Department of Moscow State University and the Russian State University for the Humanities.