TODAY: Hammarberg counsels Medvedev on human rights; presidential forecast for 2012; Kremlin 'undaunted' by Polish missiles; Dejevsky on Politkovskaya; diplomatic row with Kiev; riot police and bulldozers evict mansion owners; figure skaters in trouble.Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe's human rights commissioner, met with Dmitry Medvedev yesterday, urging him to address the issues of abduction in the North Caucasus and the unsolved murder of activist Natalya Estemirova.  He also spoke about the political influence of judges, and proposed that the Kremlin appoint regional rights ombudsmen in all of its territories. Yukos was not discussed at the meeting, although Hammarberg spoke later of his hopes for the Strasbourg hearing of the case.  RFE/RL is running an interview with ...

Very intriguing news brief from Reuters, as the cops in Minsk find themselves stamping out anti-Russia protests:Thousands of Russian soldiers have started to arrive in Belarus for joint exercises that will continue until Sept. 29. Riot police moved in to disperse the meeting minutes after protesters unfurled banners saying "Russian army go home" and "No Russian occupation". "This is our response to the beginning of the exercises, to the entry of Russian troops onto the territory of Belarus. Belarus should not be with Russia, but with Europe," protester Dmitry Bondarenko told journalists.

Democratic Sen. John Kerry and Republican Congressman David Dreier have published a piece in the Washington Post arguing that one of the best ways for the United States to contribute to Georgia's security would be a free trade agreement.  Although Tbilisi, both its government and its protesters in the streets, would like prefer to receive anti-aircraft weaponry, the country could sure use some good news after this week.Geography cannot be denied; Georgia and Russia should eventually restore strong trade relations. Today's standoff hurts both nations. Even two years before the conflict last summer, Russia severed transportation links and blockaded Georgian exports of mineral water, fruits, vegetables and wine. It would be a positive step if Russia removed these restrictions. It is notable that despite the rising tensions before last summer's ...