German Chancellor Angela Merkel made clear that Germany will oppose NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia after meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev last week.
The Sept. 29 congressional rejection of the financial bailout plan has raised the possibility that the federal government will not act in the face of a financial crisis.
As Russia works to restore its influence in its near abroad, it will work to keep the United States occupied elsewhere -- particularly in Latin America.
The Kosovo question, which set the stage for the rise of Putin and current and future crises, will stand out as a turning point in the history of the coming period.
