The Moscow River flows through this ancient seat of Russian power like a timeless reminder of a timeless country and its seemingly endless space. The Moscow European Security Conference at which I yesterday spoke is a jewel in the crown of Russia’s Ministry of Defense.

From Wall Street Journal:  Britain plans to mothball its single aircraft carrier and shrink its standing army to a size last seen by Napoleon. France is cutting its rapid deployment forces almost in half.

From Desmond Butler, AP:  Republicans are trying to block Obama administration overtures to Russia on missile defense, creating a potential obstacle to arms control talks.

From Alexander Kolyandr, Wall Street Journal:  Russia could postpone its ambitious military spending program as an economic slowdown forces the government to review its spending plans, the country's finance minister indicated Wednesday.

From Interfax:  Russia and NATO have a good potential for cooperation, the Russian Defense Ministry's foreign relations chief said on Saturday.

From Michael R. Gorden and Eric Schmitt, New York Times:  Russia has sent advanced antiship cruise missiles to Syria, a move that illustrates the depth of its support for the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad

From Judy Dempsey, Strategic Europe:  The Russian exclave of Kaliningrad plays a special role between Moscow, Warsaw, and Berlin.

From Steven Lee Myers, New York Times: The Arctic Council agreed on Wednesday to expand to include six new nations, including China, as observer states, as a changing climate opens the Arctic to increasing economic and political competition.