This report discusses the current political and economic conditions in Russia, focusing on the impact of Vladimir Putin's leadership and the leadership of his successor/protégé, Dmitriy Medvedev, both of which have steered Russia away from progress toward democratization. The report also discusses the state of the economy since the Soviet collapse in 1999, how the recent global economic downturn has affected Russia, the state of Russia's military, and the current relationship between Russia and the United States.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Italy, USSR, Pacific, Europe. Inset maps: [Central Italy] -- [USSR]. Photographs: Nazi multi-barrel rocket weapon, Mine and booby trap training, Twenty-fifth division men in a Southwest Pacific combat area, Winter flying conditions in Sicily, Propeller trip vapor trails, Revetments and flak guns, "Zebra" dazzle camouflaged PT boat, Two members of a German submarine boat, Jeri-cans. Back: Map of France. Scale: [ca 1:1,267,200] 1 map : col. ; 105 x 82 cm.

This report discusses the background of the G-20 (an international forum for discussing and coordinating economic policies) and some of the issues that it has addressed. It includes historic background on the work of the G-20, information about how the group operates, overviews of G-20 summits, major issues that the group is likely to address and the likely effectiveness of the G-20 in the near future. The members of the G-20 include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

This report discusses relations between Russia and the Balkan countries of southeast Europe. Efforts by Russia to gain influence and hinder the Balkan countries in their relations with the EU through "soft power" and intelligence activities are discussed.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Aleutians, Western Europe, Mediterranean, Russia, Southwest Pacific. Map: Shows military activity in western Europe during the week of May 10 to May 27, 1943. Inset maps: Aleutians, Present fighting area in Attu. Photographs: Images of a Grumman "Wildcat" fighter plane taken from the escort carrier, U.S.S. Altamaha. Illustration: Advance on Attu. Back: You can crack that tank! Text and illustrations show how an infantryman can defend against an enemy tank.

Text describes action on various war fronts: New phase, Solomon Islands, Gilbert Islands, East Indies, China, Burma, Russia, Iraq and Iran, Mediterranean, Western Europe, Brazil. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Inset maps show Battle for the Hangchow-Nanchang Railway; Southern Russia. Includes photographs: A Maori's best friend; Dive bomber tail brake; Vought-Sikorsky helicopter; Back from Dieppe; The run to Malta; Airborne command lands.

On December 13, 2001, President Bush gave formal notice to Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the Ukraine that the United States was withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty because of the constraints it imposes on the testing of missile defense systems; and six months later, on June 13, 2002, the treaty effectively terminated. The ABM Treaty has been in force since 1972. Pertinent legal questions that have been raised about U.S. withdrawal concern whether the treaty allows it; if so, the procedure to be followed; and, finally, the constitutionality of the President doing so unilaterally without the involvement of the Senate or Congress. This report briefly discusses these issues, as well as the recent federal district court decision in Kucinich v. Bush dismissing a suit by 32 members of the House challenging the constitutionality of the President’s action.