TODAY: Duma to consider extending powers to dismiss regional mayors; United Russia loses mayoral race in Murmansk; Russia’s missile contract with Iran; how does arms reduction fit with Russia’s plan to modernize? Khodorkovksy trial date set; Sochi elections.

Russia has not yet delivered its S300 air defense missiles to Iran, saying it will base its next moves on the international situation, but ‘Russia does not intend to abandon this contract that is estimated at a hundred million dollars’.  The Washington Post says ‘the Kremlin has indicated it is willing to explore a deal with Washington, and analysts say it may be more open to new sanctions against Iran than expected’, with Dmitry Medvedev reportedly concerned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions following last month’s test satellite launch.  Will Russia’s plan to modernize its military and nuclear forces disrupt the multilateral deal to reduce nuclear arms stockpiles across the world?  US President Barack Obama has chosen a specialist in Russian nuclear issues for a key arms control post.