Russia - Putin tightens grip on security (from ATSNN), page 1

Seems like Russia is getting a rather large overhaul of security like the United States has after 9/11. Hopefully the two countries ally and bring this beast of a fight to an end in the future.

news.bbc.co.uk
President Vladimir Putin has ordered a drastic overhaul of the way Russia is run in the wake of a series of bombings and deadly attacks on civilians.

Mr Putin said strengthening central government control was a necessary part of the fight against terrorism.

He also announced plans to create a new federal anti-terror agency.

Mr Putin was speaking to a special cabinet meeting attended by regional governors, summoned after hundreds died in the school siege in Beslan.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Mr Putin admitted Russia's fight against terrorism had not been effective so far, and went on to put forward a series of radical and far-reaching reforms, including:

* Plans to elect deputies of the state's lower house of parliament, the Duma, solely on a party-list basis - currently half are elected from local constituencies on a first-past-the-post basis

* Regional governors to be nominated by the head of state rather than elected

* A new federal commission to study the troubled North Caucasus region, at the heart of much tension

* Security services to increase their international co-operation

* Harsher punishments to be meted out to corrupt officials who help terrorists, for example by issuing false passports

* A "Public Chamber" initiative to give Russians a forum to debate government decisions

Bravo Russia, Bravo!