Russian Police Raid

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704462704575590000726792066.html

Raids and robberies have become very usual and expected in Russia. The business raids are usually in an attempt to scare or threaten the competition using masked men to steal information from opposing computers.

Military Spending

Anglo-French defence pact: The Two musketeers

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/nov/03/anglo-french-defence-pact-editorial

Britain and France account for nearly half of all military spending in the EU, half of the total number of armed forces and 70% of military research and development. So in order to cut back on military spending, Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron announced a deal that would create joint testing and developing centres for nuclear weapons. The two countries will only be sharing nuclear testing; they are not creating a European Army. The aircraft carriers will become more equiped for other countries to be able to use them as well. Some fear that they will not be able to act independently of each other; However, the French President explains that it is not likely that they will ever be involved in something that big that will need all of its navy where the other country is not going to be involved. Also, it was announced that France and England must agree with each other if they are ever to deploy they weapons.

France and UK sign defense pact

http://euobserver.com/9/31174

As the economic recession continues to create deficits in countries' budgets, collaboration amongst countries is becoming increasingly popular. Historically, France and the United Kingdom have not cooperated in defense efforts. However, the immense financial burden of nuclear programs has led to a nuclear pact between France and the United Kingdom. Under the pact, both countries will be able to conduct nuclear simulations in the testing facility in Bourgogne, France. The new facility, becoming operational in 2014, will serve as a testing facility under which each country will conduct independent experiments. Both countries will also be sharing military equipment. The UK will have access to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, while Britain will provide France with air-refueling and drone technology. France and the United Kingdom expect to cut defense expenditures through this pact without affecting the strength of each country's defense.

Back to Democracy

Current Event

November 3rd

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/european-watchdog-bring-back-direct-elections/421369.html

The Council of Europe is asking Russia to reinstate direct gubernational elections. National and local legislatures have been accused of having too much of an influence and control over local elections, as exemplified by President Dmitry Medvedev's firing of Mayor Yury Luzhkov. Medvedev and ranking federal politicians don't support these elections and in fact passed a law last year allowing the central government the power to dismiss mayors for misconduct, inactivity, etc.

This call on Russia represents the influence of the U.S. and democracy on the world, in which we have encouraged the rights of the people and the voices of the citizens in their government.