In the wake of Russia’s operations in Georgia, the country’s representative to NATO, Dmitri O. Rogozin, often derided for his forceful style, is now taken more seriously.

Russian commanders said they were growing alarmed at the number of NATO warships sailing into the Black Sea.

The extreme secrecy surrounding talks between the most senior American and Pakistani commanders on Tuesday underscores how gravely the two nations regard the militant threat.

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France has announced plans to go to Syria next Wednesday to pursue restoring diplomatic ties.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper moved to strengthen Canada’s disputed control of the Arctic by announcing stricter registration of ships sailing in the Northwest Passage.

Russian commanders said they were growing alarmed at the number of NATO warships sailing into the Black Sea.

Russia formally recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in a challenge to the West.

The text of the statement made by the president of Russia, Dmitri A. Medvedev, recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia from the Republic of Georgia.

The United Nations said the tide of opium that has engulfed Afghanistan is showing signs of ebbing.

North Korea said that it had stopped disabling its main nuclear complex and threatened to restore facilities there, accusing the U.S. of not keeping its promise to take the country off a terrorism blacklist.