Hot Docs: Women Vs. Men in Politics, Blacks and the Election, Assertive Russia, and More

Are Men or Women Better Leaders? Sixty-nine percent of Americans think men and women make "equally good" political leaders, though women are more likely to be described as "honest," "creative," and "compassionate," according to a new study from the Pew Research Center. A nationwide survey probes the impact of gender in politics and considers why relatively few women have reached high office. In considering the positive traits often associated with women, the report notes that they "emerge from this survey a bit like a sports team that racks up better statistics but still loses the game."

Blacks and the 2008 Democratic National Convention: African-American voters are most concerned about economic issues in the upcoming presidential election, according to a report from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. They are, of course expected to turn out in large numbers to support Barack Obama, and study author David Bositis wonders if the large African-American populations in swing states like Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia could push them into the Democratic column this year.

Russia Recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia: Russia has recognized Georgia's breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as "independent states" and seeks to protect them from "aggressive" and "chauvinistic" Georgia, according to this statement released by Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Russia is sharply critical of embattled Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili, characterizing his regime as "completely out of control." Moreover, Russia calls U.S. and European support of Saakashvili an "overt invitation to new reckless ventures." Russia expresses its "sincere good and friendly feelings toward the Georgian people," while hoping that the country will "eventually find worthy leaders."

Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007: Household incomes are up and the number of uninsured Americans down—but only slightly, according to a new report from the Census Bureau. Nationwide, the poverty rate remains about the same as the year prior, at 12.5 percent. The report also notes that the number of Americans without health insurance, while down from 2006, is still 45.7 million— more than 15 percent.

Opium Cultivation in Afghanistan Down by a Fifth: In Afghanistan, the amount of land devoted to growing opium has decreased by 19 percent, says the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (On the other hand, the land seems to be more productive—overall, opium production is down by only 6 percent.) The U.N. credits bad weather, along with local government campaigns aimed at persuading farmers to stop growing opium, most of which becomes heroin. The vast majority of the drug—98 percent—is now grown in provinces with a strong Taliban presence. Afghanistan still accounts for well over 90 percent of the world's opium cultivation.