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Sign Of Discrimination?

A new park designed for the exclusive use of women has officially opened in Tehran. Some say the park allows women to exercise freely, while others criticize "Mothers' Paradise" as yet another example of Iran's efforts to violate the human rights of its women. ... more

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IN FOCUS

Goodbye Cheap Bread

As food prices rise dramatically around the world, the rate of increase in Russia has been three times greater than in the European Union. The crisis is exacerbating the gap between the haves and the have-nots and could become President Dmitry Medvedev's biggest challenge. ... more

RFE/RL Specials

In an editorial titled "Cyberjamming," "The Wall Street Journal-Europe" discusses the recent cyberattacks against RFE/RL's Belarus Service and other sites. ... more

A new report by RFE/RL senior analyst Daniel Kimmage examines how Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups use the Internet to spread their message of global jihad. ... more

Russia's new president, Dmitry Medvedev, is considered to be more palatable for the West. But under his leadership, Russia's domestic and foreign-policy course is unlikely to change in fundamental ways. ... more

In a speech at the Heritage Foundation, President Jeffrey Gedmin said RFE/RL's broadcasts represent the belief that free speech and an independent press are the essential components of a healthy civil society. ... more

Sunday, May 18, 2008 Prague 12:16 | Washington DC 06:16

Abkhazian soldiers take part in a tank exercise in Ochamchyra, east from Sukhumi, on May 14

Georgia

Spy Games

Moscow has detained a Georgian-born Russian citizen on charges of spying for Tbilisi, in a case reminiscent of Georgia's expulsion of four Russians in 2006. Amid the mounting crisis over Abkhazia, the incident could prove explosive. ... more

Kazakhstan

Family Feud Festers Further

Rakhat Aliev, the exiled former son-in-law of President Nursultan Nazarbaev, says he's ready to give evidence in a U.S. probe into whether Nazarbaev took bribes from U.S. businesses to receive lucrative oil contracts. ... more

Igor Sechin emerges from a government session on May 15

Russia

Kremlin's Most Secretive Figure Moves To Cabinet

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin will be responsible for industry, energy, and natural resources. His appointment is perhaps the clearest signal that the second age of Vladimir Putin will be an intensely amplified version of the first. ... more

Garry Kasparov (L) and Eduard Limonov, the founders of the National Assembly

Commentary

Russian Opposition Takes A Principled Stand

The meeting in Moscow this weekend of Russia's opposition National Assembly -- if the authorities allow it -- seems either hopelessly quixotic or comically pathetic. ... more

Kosovo: Three Months On, Mitrovica Still Divided On Statehood
Georgia: EU Official Says Events In Abkhazia 'Demonstrate Dangers And The Need To Act'
U.S.: Democratic Presidential Campaign Winding Down, But To What End?
EU: Lithuania's Motives In Blocking Russia Pact Difficult To Gauge
Central Asia: Kazakh, Tajik Presidents Show Oil And Water Do Mix
Commentary: With Surprise Party Over, It's Time To Do The Math
Commentary: Russia Versus NATO In The CIS
Afghanistan: One Of The World's Most Difficult Places To Become A Mother
Middle East: Are Iran, Syria Playing Any Roles In Lebanon Fighting?
Russia: Is The USSR Back In Vogue?

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