Topic: Dmitry Kosyrev

Why have Russia's diplomats done a dramatic U-turn on their relations with the United States? Within the past week a Russian deputy foreign minister has signaled a willingness to negotiate seriously with Washington about creating a new treaty to replace the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which runs out in December 2009.

Last May, the West launched a verbal attack on Myanmar, accusing the regime of being unable to help hundreds of thousands of cyclone victims and of refusing to accept Western humanitarian aid, inferring that "humanitarian intervention" was needed in this situation.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, led by Russia and China, has been boosting its diplomatic and military sales influence with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which shares the SCO 's suspicion of Western intervention in human rights issues.

The Indians are increasingly criticizing their Russian partners for high prices and unreliable supply of spare parts in arms deals between the two countries.

The Indians are increasingly criticizing their Russian partners in arms contracts for high prices and unreliable supply of spare parts.

Bilateral prime-ministerial talks in Seoul have shown that the two Koreas really mean it when they talk about stepping up economic contacts.