Clinton to meet Medvedev for wide-ranging talks

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has invited U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to his private residence in suburban Barvikha for a discussion Tuesday on a broad range of issues in what one senior State Department official called a “relaxed setting.” Issues on the agenda for the two-hour meeting include the next steps on Iran, the Mideast conflict, cooperation on Afghanistan, possible joint work on a missile defense system, Russia’s “neighborhood” and climate change.

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Clinton trip comes amid debate on Afghanistan

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton embarks Friday on a six-day trip to Europe and Russia that comes at a crucial time in the Obama administration’s decision-making on a strategy for Afghanistan. She will depart one day after the inaugural flight of the “lethal transit” agreement, signed in July by President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, which allows transport of military personnel and equipment across Russia to support the U.S.-NATO mission in Afghanistan

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The Best or Worst of YouTube in Four Minutes

After last year’s war between Russia and Georgia, which left at least 250 people dead and parts of Georgia in ruin, both countries were eager to point the finger of blame at one another for starting the conflict. On Wednesday, an independent investigating team issued a highly anticipated report saying that neither country can escape fault

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Report: Both Georgia, Russia to Blame for 2008 War

After last year’s war between Russia and Georgia, which left at least 250 people dead and parts of Georgia in ruin, both countries were eager to point the finger of blame at one another for starting the conflict. On Wednesday, an independent investigating team issued a highly anticipated report saying that neither country can escape fault.

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Russian president denies Putin has all the power

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says those who question whether he has power in his country are going by “stereotypes” and “stigmas.” “In our country, where there’s so much red tape, nobody would even lift a finger without me signing a paper first, even if they have different opinions about who’s in charge,” Medvedev told CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS” in an exclusive interview airing Sunday. “That’s an absolutely clear thing for anyone who wants to sort out this issue.” The president was responding to suggestions that he may be serving as a ceremonial facade while all the power remains with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the former president.

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Writer: I was threatened after questioning Russian ship hijack

A Russian writer who contradicted some authorities by suggesting that the hijacked cargo ship Arctic Sea was carrying something other than timber was fired after he fled Russia because of threats, he told CNN Friday. Mikhail Voitenko said in multiple media interviews that he caught the first flight to Istanbul, Turkey, this week to escape possible lawsuits or worse for his comments on the Arctic Sea saga.

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