The US missile strike on Syria, despite Russia's protection, has left president Putin licking his wounds. His response may be closer to home, in Ukraine or Georgia, where Russia still has plenty of assets, and room for manoeuvre
Early reports from Tskhinvali suggest that Parliamentary Speaker Anatoli Bibilov has claimed an outright victory in South Ossetia's presidential election which took place on Sunday (10 April) ousting the current incumbent, Leonid Tibilov, but other reports say a run-off is necessary
The rally was organised by the National Council, an opposition umbrella organisation, and was sanctioned by the authorities under tightly controlled rules. The ruling YAP party dismissed the rally as a non-event.
The President's speech came on the eve of controversial polls in South Osseta that have been characterised as illegitimate by the European Union and the United States
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said it was necessary for the CIS to deal with the conflicts within it before thinking of anything else.