Free Republic

MOSCOW, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, during a rare trip abroad, to discuss oil production, OPEC+ and the wars in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine. Putin's meeting with the prince, known as MbS, comes after oil prices fell despite a pledge by OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, to further cut output.

1. They are a minuscule portion of the U.S. population. 2. They're better educated than most Americans. 3. They have more gender equality. 4. They've been here since the birth of the nation. 5. They're not just clustered in big cities. 6. They're as religious as Christians. 7. They're not as dogmatic as they are portrayed. 8. There have been Muslims involved in terrorism. 9. But they've also spoken out against it.

Last week the president spoke out on behalf of the three American hikers who have been held in Iran for nearly a year. During that time, they have been able to make only one telephone call — to their families back in the U.S. — and write no letter at all. Sarah, Shane, and Josh are in Tehran’s infamous Evin prison, and Sarah is locked in solitary confinement save for once a day when she goes to the prison yard and sees the others. “I want to be perfectly clear,” the president said.  And then he lapsed into incoherence.  “Sarah,...