WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans to visit Afghanistan to encourage continued democratic progress amid rising violence that authorities blame on resurgent Taliban militants. The State Department announced Tuesday that Rice will travel to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan next week for discussions on economic development, security matters …

The upheaval in Kyrgyzstan could wind up a democratic success story if political change occurs without violence, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday. It is too soon to know where the chaotic scene on the streets of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek is leading, Rice said. “It doesn’t happen on …

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide, Igor Shuvalov, announced at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe underway in Kemerovo that all members of the Russian Federation are prepared to implement the local governance reform. “All the members brought their laws in compliance with the reform …