Herman Cain acknowledges that he's not that experienced in foreign policy. His general philsophy is peace through strength with clarity.

But the Georgia businessman, who's vaulted to the top of many national polls as he seeks the GOP presidential nomination, scoffs at critics.

"I've been criticized for not having any foreign policy experience," Cain told an audience of Las Vegas activists Wednesday. "And the guy in there now does?"

President Barack Obama was in his first term as a U.S. senator from Illinois when he was elected president in 2008.

Thirteen Republicans joined 56 Democrats and two independents Wednesday in approving the U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty.

The GOP contingent included conservatives and moderates, and senators from different parts of the country. 26 Republicans voted no, and three--Missouri's Christopher Bond, Kansas' Sam Brownback and Kentucky's Jim Bunning--did not vote. All three are retiring from the Senate and won't be back in January.

The 13 Republican yes votes: Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker of Tennessee, Robert Bennett of Utah, Scott Brown of Massachusetts, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Mike Johanns of Nebraska, Richard Lugar of Indiana, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and George Voinovich of Ohio.

Supporters of the New START treaty picked up a key Republican supporter Tuesday, as Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said he would back the U.S.-Russia pact.

"I will vote to ratify the New START treaty between the United States and Russia because it leaves our country with enough nuclear warheads to blow any attacker to kingdom come," he said, "and because the president has committed to an $85 billion, 10 year plan to make sure those weapons work."

Alexander's support, combined with the Monday announcement by Sen. Scott Brown, R-Tenn., that he would support the treaty, means the Obama administration is close to getting the nine Republicans it needs to win ratification.

Two-thirds of those present are needed, probably 66 votes, and all 57 members of the Democratic caucus are expected to vote yes.

A vote to limit debate is expected later Tuesday, with a final vote possible Wednesday.

The U.S. Geological Survey has collaborated with Asian glaciologists for a new report on what's happening to the glaciers of Asia. Many are shrinking as a result of climate change.

"This retreat impacts water supplies to millions of people, increases the likelihood of outburst floods that threaten life and property in nearby areas, and contributes to sea-level rise," USGS said in a release.

"As glaciers become smaller, water runoff decreases, which is especially important during the dry season when other water sources are limited. Climate change also brings warmer temperatures and earlier water runoff from glaciers, and this combined with spring and summer rains can result in flood conditions. The overall glacier retreat and additional melt can increase the amount of water dammed in the vicinity of a glacier, and the added pressure enhances the likelihood of disastrous outburst flooding."

President Barack Obama called Russian President Dmitri Medvedev Friday morning to seal their agreement on a START II treaty to reduce the nuclear arsensals of the two former Cold War rivals.

The phone call was the last step needed to seal the deal, aides said, and set the stage for a formal treaty signing in Praque, Czech Republic, after Easter. 

Shortly after the call, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen were expected to brief reporters at the White House.

The treaty must be approved by the Senate.The Senate Foreign Relations Committee plans to start hearings soon after Easter.

White House Press Secretary says the United States and Russia are very close to final agreement on a START II treaty to cut the nuclear arms in their stockpiles.

He said the only thng left to seal the deal is a talk between Presidents Obama and Medvedev, which he said would likely happen in the next several days.

The signing cermeony will take place in Prague, Czech Republic, where Obama a year ago gave a speech urging a nuclear-free world. 

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relatins Committee, says his panel will start hearings on the proposed treaty before Easter. 

It takes a two-thirds vote of the Senate to ratify a treaty.

Barack Obama's America is in some ways "almost like looking" at Vladimir Putin's Russia, says the number two House of Representative Republican.

Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor Thursday told the Associated Press in an interview that the administration's actions in its efforts to rescue ailing American auto companies invite the similarities with the Russian Prime Minister.

"They said, 'Set aside the rule of law, let's strip secured creditors, bondholders, of their rights. Take them away outside of the bankruptcy process and give them to the political cronies and the auto workers' unions," Cantor said.

He added, "It's almost like looking at Putin's Russia. You want to reward your political friends at the expense of the certainty of law?"

Democrats were quick to fire back. "It's no wonder that recent polling shows that one-third of Republicans hold an unfavorable view of their own partym" said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"Republicans should stop the name-calling, roll up their sleeves and start working with the president and congressional Democrats to turn the economy around," he said.

To read the AP story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090612/ap_on_go_co/us_cantor_obama

President Barack Obama will travel to Russia, Italy and Ghana this July, the White House announced Saturday.

From the White House release:

The President is scheduled to travel to Moscow, Russia, July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Medvedev. The summit meeting will provide an opportunity for the United States and the Russian Federation to deepen engagement on reducing nuclear weapons, cooperating on non-proliferation, exploring ways to cooperate on missile defense, addressing mutual threats and security challenges, and expanding the ties between American and Russian society and business.

The President will then attend the G-8 Summit in L’Aquila, Italy, from July 8 to 10. The Summit and related meetings with world leaders from emerging and African economies will provide an opportunity for the United States to engage with its partners on a broad range of issues. The President will also chair a meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate while at L’Aquila.

The President and Mrs. Obama will visit Accra, Ghana, from July 10 to 11. While in Ghana, the President will discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues with Ghanaian President Mills. The President and Mrs. Obama look forward to strengthening the U.S. relationship with one of our most trusted partners in sub-Saharan Africa, and to highlighting the critical role that sound governance and civil society play in promoting lasting development.

President Barack Obama said today he’s accepted an invitation from Russian President Medvedev to visit

Moscow in July. He announced the trip after meeting with Medvedev in London.  

After a meeting in London, President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev issues the following statement:

"Regarding Negotiations on Further Reductions in Strategic Offensive Arms
The President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, and the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitriy A. Medvedev, noted that the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START Treaty), which expires in December 2009, has completely fulfilled its intended purpose and that the maximum levels for strategic offensive arms recorded in the Treaty were reached long ago. They have therefore decided to move further along the path of reducing and limiting strategic offensive arms in accordance with U.S. and Russian obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The Presidents decided to begin bilateral intergovernmental negotiations to work out a new, comprehensive, legally binding agreement on reducing and limiting strategic offensive arms to replace the START Treaty. The United States and the Russian Federation intend to conclude this agreement before the Treaty expires in December. In this connection, they instructed their delegations at the negotiations to proceed on basis of the following:
- The subject of the new agreement will be the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms;
- In the future agreement the Parties will seek to record levels of reductions in strategic offensive arms that will be lower than those in the 2002 Moscow Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions, which is currently in effect;
- The new agreement will mutually enhance the security of the Parties and predictability and stability in strategic offensive forces, and will include effective verification measures drawn from the experience of the Parties in implementing the START Treaty."