President Obama Calls Russia With Condolences

According to a White House press release, President Obama called President Medvedev this morning to express his deepest condolences for yesterday’s terrorist attack and his solidarity with the Russian people. 

President Obama reaffirmed his strong condemnation of this outrageous attack on innocent civilians and his commitment to work with Russia in combating terrorism.  President Obama also congratulated President Medevedev on today’s approval by the Duma of the new START treaty, and the two leaders pledged to build on this progress as they continue their close partnership in 2011.



Kerry Implores Senate Panel To Send START To The Floor

In prepared remarks this morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) nudged lawmakers on the panel to vote ‘yes’ on the New START Treaty.

“We have had five months of investigation, study, and consultation. Now, it is time for us to act. We must act to improve the nuclear security of the United States. We must report New START to the Senate,” Kerry said.

The panel is expected to vote on a resolution later in the day. Kerry and  Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), the committee’s ranking Republican, are confident the resolution will pass out of committee, but have hesitated to say whether ratification will be taken up by the full Senate before the midterm elections…