Ukraine's decision to extend the lease for the Russian fleet in the Crimea has been extremely controversial. However, in the port city of Sevastopol, locals are enthusiastic - the Russian naval base is the primary source of income for most of the region.

• May 18, 2010

Since the North Atlantic Treaty Organization took control of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in 2003 the amount of troops serving under that command has grown from 5,000 to over 100,000.

• May 17, 2010

Energy Roundtable Summary Document

The EU-Russia energy roundtable discussion held at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) on February 26, 2010, brought together a significant number of well known experts and policy makers engaged in the EU-Russia energy relationship in order to assess some of the challenges which presently exist in this sphere. Some of these challenges are summarised below. The objectives of the seminar organisers were to create an environment in which experts and policy makers could openly and candidly discuss the challenges standing before the EU-Russia energy relationship. The roundtable was also attended by a large number of participants from academia, government, energy companies and the diplomatic community.

• May 17, 2010

China's "growing military muscle" has "raised the urgency for the US and Japan to resolve its standoff over where to station US troops in Japan," Japan's foreign minister said in The Wall Street Journal on May 14.

• May 15, 2010

More than 300 Romanian, U.S., Ukrainian and Macedonian troops will participate from May 17-June 24 in 'the Black Sea Rotational Force 2010' drill organized in eastern Romania, according to a news release on Thurday from the Romanian Navy General Staff.

• May 14, 2010

How will India measure, report and verify its climate change actions when it is not yet sure of what actions it needs to take or the economic consequences of such moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

• May 14, 2010

India has conveyed to Tehran that it had a major role in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan and that India would cherish its support in handling the developing situation in that country.

• May 13, 2010

Russia, which is helping Iran build nuclear plants, now wants to add Syria to its list of investments in atomic energy while the US enlists support for the idea of making Middle East free of nuclear weapons.

• May 12, 2010