Free Republic

MOSCOW, Sept. 13 - President Vladimir V. Putin ordered a stunning overhaul of Russia's political system on Monday in what he called an effort to unite the country against terrorism. If enacted, as expected, the proposals would strengthen his already pervasive control over the legislative branch and regional governments. Mr. Putin, meeting in special session with cabinet ministers and regional government leaders, outlined what would be the most sweeping political overhaul - and his most striking single step to consolidate power - in Russia in more than a decade. Critics immediately said it would violate the Constitution and stifle what...

GROZNY, Russia - Against a backdrop of war, squalor and terrorism, Chechens voted Sunday for a replacement for their assassinated president in a vote the Kremlin hopes will bring some stability to the violence-torn region. A man was killed when he attempted to blow up a polling station. Kremlin backing has made Chechnya's top police official, Maj. Gen. Alu Alkhanov, the unquestioned favorite in the race. Russian officials have warned that Chechen rebels might stage attacks to mar the voting — a danger highlighted by the near simultaneous crashes of two jetliners last week that killed 90 people. Traces of...