TODAY: Sixteen-year bid to join WTO ends in dramatic turnaround; Russia says North Korea may launch missiles again; Kremlin acknowledgment of threat from Iran may ease negotiations with Washington; Medvedev visits violence-hit Dagestan; United Russia founder criticizes Russia’s political institutions

Despite positive indications this week from the EU and the US, Vladimir Putin has declared that Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will renounce their plans to enter the World Trade Organization unilaterally and will bid to enter as a ‘united customs union’.  Negotiations will begin after January 1, 2010, following the legalization of this organization.  The New York Times reports that Russian authorities have announced that ‘there are signs of preparations for the launch of missiles’ from North Korea.  According to Russia’s envoy, Vitaly Churkin, the UN is close to reaching consensus on a resolution regarding the rogue state.  The prospects for missile defense negotiation with Washington have been improved by Moscow’s new recognition of the missile threat from Iran.