Obama, Medvedev Strike a Deal

Progress in Russia: President Obama and Dmitry Medvedev have agreed to cut back their stockpiles of nuclear warheads. Medvedev will also allow the United States fly troops and weapons over Russia to Afghanistan—which will help the U.S. forces fighting the Taliban. The talks in Russia have been focused mainly on replacing the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires in December. As it stands now, both Russia and the United States are allowed 2,220 warheads, but with new negotiations, that number will likely be lowered to between 1,500 and 1,700. Obama said, "We are confident that we can continue to build off the extraordinary discussions that we had in London, and that on a whole host of issues—including security issues, economic issues, energy issues, environmental issues—that the United States and Russia have more in common than they have differences, and that if we work hard during these next few days, that we can make extraordinary progress that will benefit the people of both countries."