Political Pulse Of Russia’s Heartland

The BBC’s Steve Rosenberg talks to Marco Werman about the view from the heartland.

The Outrage of Russia’s Middle Class

Russia’s educated, middle class rarely heads to the streets in protests. So, what’s brought them out this time?

Moscow Protesters Defy Rally Ban

Police and elite interior troops have been patroling Moscow a day after the biggest opposition rally in years in protest at alleged election fraud.

Russia’s Medvedev: ‘Badminton Fosters Success’

Russia President Dmitry Medvedev has used a video blog to promote badminton, describing it as a game for those seeking success.

New START for nuclear disarmament

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The Senate is Washington has approved a nuclear arms pact with Russia, handing President Obama a huge victory on his top foreign policy priority. The treaty requires the US and Russia to cut their deployed nuclear warheads by some 30%. The World’s Alex Gallafent takes a look back on the evolution of US – Russian diplomacy over nuclear weapons. Download MP3
FAQ New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

Moscow mayor fired

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Yuri Luzhkov has been mayor of Moscow for the past 18 years but now he’s out of a job after he was fired by President Dmitry Medvedev. Julia loffe is Foreign Policy Magazine’s Moscow Correspondent. Lisa Mullins asked her about the sacking. Profile: Yuri Luzhkov Download MP3

Who is boss in Russia?

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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is seen as a sportsman, a hunter, an athlete, a ‘manly man.’ But what about Russian President Dmitry Medvedev? Voters see him as a help-mate and political lackey for Putin – observers say that’s no accident. Jessica Golloher reports from Moscow on the very different public images of Russia’s leaders. Download MP3

• BBC profile of Medvedev
• BBC profile of Putin
• Resurgent Russia

US and Russia sign historic nuclear arms treaty

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US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, have signed a landmark nuclear arms treaty in the Czech capital, Prague. Anchor Marco Werman gets the details from the BBC’s James Robbins. Download MP3 (Photo: DMITRY ASTAKHOV/AFP/Getty Images)

• BBC coverage
• Q&A: New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (Start)

Global Political Cartoons: July 4 – July 10, 2009

Europe features large in this week’s political cartoons. We see President Obama and Russian President Medvedev try to flatter and dare each other into reducing their nuclear arsenals and this year’s G8 summit host, Italian president Silvio Berlusconi, appears to be preoccupied with his life outside of government. In other images, Sarah Palin has a plan to get to the White House and Barack Obama embraces his own plan to gradually withdraw from Iraq.

>>>Start the cartoon slideshow

Obama, Russia, and the G8

The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on European reaction to President Obama’s visit to Moscow. Obama headed straight to the G8 summit in Italy after his meeting with Russian President Medvedev.
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When Mr. Obama met Mr. Medvedev

President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced agreements on goals for nuclear weapons cuts and transit rights for US planes headed to Afghanistan. They also talked about finding common ground and reducing their differences. The World’s Jeb Sharp reports.
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Entire program – July 2, 2009

Today on The World: Pakistan seals its border against Taliban fleeing a major U-S operation in Afghanistan, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says he’s ready to begin a new relationship with the US, and Amsterdam’s big plans for a green future. Listen