RIA Novosti

Occupy Yourself

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:50:00 GMT

So, Occupy Abai, Moscow’s latest social/political novelty, is no more. In the wee hours of May 16, six hours before the deadline set by Basmanny court, the last remaining members of the camp were removed by the police, forced to leave their paltry possessions behind.

Occupy Yourself

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:50:00 GMT

20 Years on, CSTO Focuses on Threats to Central Asia

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:04:00 GMT

With its membership now stable, the Collective Security Treaty Organization has shifted its focus to resolving conflicts and dealing with terrorist threats in the post-Soviet space, predominantly in Central Asia.

Russia Can Buy Weapons in the West, but not Industry

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:51:56 GMT

Once again, the Russian military are about to lay out huge chunks of money to buy military equipment in the West, thus causing bouts of righteous indignation among supporters of the domestic defence industry.

How Many Libyan Civilians Were Killed in NATO’s Air Campaign?

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:30:00 GMT

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has finally decided to contribute its weighty word in the dramatic disputes over how many civilians were killed in NATO’s air campaign in Libya.

Plane Crash Doesn’t Spell Disaster for Superjet Project

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:21:00 GMT

The crash site of the Sukhoi Superjet-100 (SSJ-100) that disappeared in Indonesia on May 9 has been found. It had crashed into a mountain. However, the tragic end of the demo flight does not spell the end of this Russian civil aviation project.

European Missile Defense System as a New Iron Curtain

Fri, 04 May 2012 18:45:52 GMT

An international conference on missile defense in Europe opened in Moscow on May 3. Washington and Moscow – the event’s major players – are still unable to find common ground: Russia insists that the missile defense system in Europe poses a threat, and the West deliberately shrugs off these concerns.

Khasavov Flees Russia, But Sharia Law Remains

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:08:47 GMT

News of Dagir Khasavov’s outrageous call for Russia to officially recognize Sharia law on its territory is spreading like wildfire. The Russian Interior Ministry is evaluating the lawyer’s remarks for evidence of extremism.

Due West: In Russia, Is it the Church vs. Society or the Church vs. Itself?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:27:00 GMT

A few years ago the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams suggested in an interview that “elements” of shari’a law could “possibly” be incorporated into the juridical practice of the UK, with its substantial Muslim population.

The Moscow Mint: From One Olympics to the Next

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:03:41 GMT

The Goznak Moscow Mint celebrates its 70th anniversary on April 25. It has played its part in all the major events of the second half of the 20th century.

The Friendly Indian Intercontinental Missile

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:06:00 GMT

Perusing the front pages of Delhi newspapers, one gets the impression that launching of the Agni-5 intercontinental missile with a striking range of 5,000 km by India was a prominent but by no means sensational event even for the Indians.

U.S. Giant Agrees to Come to the Arctic

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:35:00 GMT

On Monday, the Russian company Rosneft and ExxonMobil agreed the details of the terms of their joint exploration of the Russian continental shelf. A cooperation agreement between them was signed nearly a year ago, but progress had stalled.

Although No Eurasian NATO, CSTO Can Benefit the Region

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:34:00 GMT

Military-political integration in Eurasia will be further enhanced by the ratification of the agreement on the procedure for establishing the CSTO Collective Security Forces and their operation, submitted by President Dmitry Medvedev to parliament.

Pyongyang Tries – and Fails – to Intimidate the World

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:12:51 GMT

North Korea has failed to do in 2012 what the USSR successfully did way back in 1957, when it launched the world’s first artificial satellite. The country’s much-hyped ballistic missile fell apart just minutes after launch, and its debris fell into the sea. So what conclusions can we draw about the international diplomatic standoff sparked by the launch?

Russia May Consider Establishing Private Military Companies

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:50:00 GMT

Russia may create private military companies and possibly use them for missions abroad. Prime Minister and President-elect Vladimir Putin mentioned this possibility after he delivered his report on the government’s performance in 2011 to the State Duma. Many countries have such companies, but the issue needs to be carefully considered given the specific circumstances of Russia.

The Second Comeback of Democracy

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:31:24 GMT

Vladimir Putin’s speech in the State Duma marked the culmination of the “thaw” that has taken place in Russian policy during the past year.

Russia Has Convinced Assad, Now the Opposition Has to Be Brought Around

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:33:36 GMT

There is a faint hope that civil war in Syria can be avoided. But the level of mistrust between the government and the opposition is so high that anything, even a simple loss of temper could trigger a resumption of the violence.

Russia to Go Back to the Moon Before Reaching for Mars

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:14:00 GMT

Recent setbacks have not stopped the Russian space effort but have drastically modified its plans.

New START Won’t Stop the Arms Race

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:36:00 GMT

Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama signed the new strategic arms reduction treaty, New START, in Prague on April 8, 2010. In the two years since, the sides appear to have exhausted all of its benefits. They have quarreled on a whole series of military issues, and now stand on the brink of a new arms race.

Viktor Bout – 25 Years for Callous Talk

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:58:00 GMT

Last November a federal jury in New York convicted Russian citizen Viktor Bout of conspiring to kill Americans, attempting to buy and sell missiles, and supporting terrorism through cooperation with a terrorist organization, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. The judge has sentenced Bout to 25 years, although prosecutors had requested life in prison.

Titanic Rescue: A Tragedy That Unfolded Like Clockwork

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:57:00 GMT

When the Titanic collided with an iceberg, this was just the beginning of the disaster. The rescue operation was another link in the chain of mistakes, oversights and miscalculations made that night. Why were the ship’s lifeboats, in short supply to begin with, sent out to sea only two-thirds full?

Russia Delivers Nerpa Submarine to India, Plans More Deliveries for 2012

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:15:00 GMT

The Project 971 nuclear-powered attack submarine K-152 Nerpa was delivered to the Indian Navy on Wednesday.

See You in Nuclear Tehran

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:00:00 GMT

If someone wanted to back out of the April 13-14 meeting between Iran and the P5+1 group of international mediators to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, here is an excuse – Tehran has suddenly asked to move the venue from Istanbul to Baghdad.

'Titanic' Passengers — Society's Upper Crust, the Rescued and the Dead

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:18:00 GMT

The “Titanic” was one of the largest and most luxurious ocean liners of its time. Many wealthy and influential people were on board during its fatal voyage.

Assad Refuses to Cooperate with Arab League

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:52:00 GMT

The Arab League foreign ministers who met in Baghdad on March 28-29 failed to sway the Syrian authorities. A day after the opposition was defeated in Homs, Bashar Assad’s foreign minister said that Syria would not talk with the League of Arab States, which had suspended Syria’s membership.