Russia and Vietnam have developed a mechanism to conceal arms deal payments to avoid American and other Western sanctions, using profits from joint energy-sector ventures to pay for defense contracts,

There was a brief moment in the 1990s when it appeared that Russia was heading toward a European-style democracy.

The key NATO front-line state is bolstering its defence as the threat of a Russian incursion into its territory grows.

Internal Vietnamese documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal that Hanoi and Moscow have prepared for this possibility, establishing a complex system through which Vietnam can conceal its payments to Russia for defense goods by avoiding any open transfers of cash through the global banking system. Here are some takeaways from AP’s report:

State media and online trolls have seized on the assassination to score geopolitical points against the United States, according to a new report.

The National Weather Survey Bay Area is now evaluating the potential tsunami threat for the Pacific coast in North America.

Despite claiming to have a ‘no-limits’ partnership, China and Russia maintain a pragmatic and conditional alliance. Driven by shared strategic interests, in particular opposition to US influence, their partnership is utilitarian — China secures energy and global leverage,