TODAY: Russia and NATO hold first military talks since Georgia incursion; differences remain; OSCE skeptical about security proposals; issues emerge for imminent Obama visit; the Romanovs returnNATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said that Russia and NATO have resumed cooperation on broad security threats, but 'on Georgia, there are still fundamental differences'.  Fears of an incursion in Georgia are building as Russia begins its Caucasus 2009 war games.  According to the Washington Post, the military exercises are 'a reminder of the volatility of the region'.  Russia's attitude to Georgia has been met with sharp criticism from Western leaders.  At a ministerial meeting of the OSCE, opinion was unconvinced about Moscow's ...

TODAY: NATO and Russia resume formal dialogue; Russia-Ukraine tensions easing?; Kyrgyzstan denies talks with US on military base; Kasparov confronts prosecutor at Yukos trial; Novaya Gazeta wins awardFormal contacts between Russia and NATO have officially recommenced under the framework of the NATO-Russia Council.  Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has voiced optimism but warned that differences are likely to remain.  NATO has expelled two Russian diplomats on the basis of undercover intelligence activity, the FT reports.  Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov has denied that he is in talks with Washington on the prospect of keeping a US military base open.  Defense cooperation between Russia and China is not 'aimed against third countries', states President Medvedev.  Following a meeting of the Arctic Council, ...