Economic actions by Congress plus key foreign-policy challenges for incoming Obama team. more >>

A Ukrainian cargo ship loaded with weaponry remains in the hands of Somali hijackers. more >>

Diplomatic talks highlight the strain in relations over the Crimea region. more >>

Ukraine fears that Moscow may try to use its military power to reclaim the strategic peninsula. more >>

The military clashes with Russia hit NATO's expansion plans. more >>

Will Ukraine and Georgia become the next countries to gain NATO admission? President Bush, who is Romania bound for the NATO summit opening tomorrow, said today that both countries are "ready and worthy" to join NATO. But Russia, claiming "sphere of influence" rights, is scowling at the proposal, and France and Germany are intimating opposition. "France will not give its green light to the entry of Ukraine and Georgia," French Prime Minister François Fillon said today. "We are opposed to Georgia and Ukraine's entry because we think that it is not the correct response to the balance of power in Europe and between Europe and Russia." more >>