Comment Obama’s missile gambit Roland Oliphant However welcome, the end of the shield won’t yield big concessions

Comment Playing ‘Risk’ for real Tim Wall In the real-life version of "Risk", the global military strategy game, Russia appears to be winning, if President Barack Obama's move to drop US missile plans is anything to go by.

Ask the experts Six-party talks on North Korean nukes may exclude Russia, Japan RIA Novosti Kim Jong Il told a special representative of Chinese President Hu Jintao last week that he is ready to resolve the issue of his country's national nuclear program through negotiation, perhaps even through multilateral talks. How serious is his intention, and what does it mean?

Comment Energy key to Chavez armaments deal Roland Oliphant For Russia, selling guns to Venezuela is all about getting access to the country’s energy sources

Comment Too soon to call it for 2012 Ethan S. Burger Although Medvedev has not so far taken any major initiatives without Putin, there’s still time for differences to emerge before the next election cycle

News The week in review 22 – 28 September 2009 Andy Potts Igor Sechin says a company set up by RusHydro managers should be investigated

News US denies Russia missiles link Anna Arutunyan But experts remain divided on whether there was a quid pro quo with Moscow over Iran

News Canny tourists go bargain-hunting Ayano Hodouchi Amid the economic crisis, fewer tourists are coming to and going from Russia, but discount deals have been offering some cheer

News The hijacker’s guide to the galaxy Andy Potts The late comic novelist Douglas Adams once told readers that if they'd done seven impossible things before breakfast, they could cap it off with dinner at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

Business The week in review 22 – 28 September Andy Potts Meanwhile, the Central Bank is set to call in emergency loans to banks

Business To be or not to be Ed Bentley We asked leading Russia experts whether there will be a Gas OPEC

Business Reforms, traffic on Sochi agenda Ed Bentley Putin assures foreign investors that financial reforms will make life easier

Business Back to the rouble Ed Bentley Russian borrowers are increasingly turning away from foreign denominated loans as credit becomes harder to get

Business Minding your ‘V’s and ‘W’s Ed Bentley Both Russian bourses broke the 1,200 mark last week before pulling back as worries grew that valuations were too high.

Concerts A theory of mosh-pit evolution Vladimir Kozlov From rap-inspired nu metal to hardcore rocking, Papa Roach keep on changing