A Really Good Use of Russian Taxes: Russia plans to install a new “state-of-the-art” air defense system by the start of 2006, reports the Moscow Times. The newspaper links the announcement of the new S-400 missile system with talk by US and Poland over the possibility of installing a ballistic missile defense system in Poland. (DR 11/18/05)
The U.S. military conducted strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, as the conflict with Iran flared up again—though officials say the ceasefire remains in effect.