Russia is the world’s biggest consumer of Afghan heroin, says President Medvedev, which ‘is a threat to the country’s national security’ and ‘a serious challenge to the health of the nation’, which is already fighting demographic decline.  The President is calling on US troops to help curb the wave of drugs leaving the war-torn country.  Sergei Lavrov has said that isolating North Korea must be avoided and resumption of six party talks prioritized.  Lavrov has also objected to claims by the French Foreign Ministry that the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency is withholding information concerning Iran’s nuclear status.  Before December, Russia hopes to hold at least 5 rounds of talks with the US regarding the replacement start treaty.  The complexities of Obama’s objective of nuclear reduction is addressed in the New York Times.  Russia looks set to sign a deal to deliver at least 100 main battle tanks worth around $500 million to Venezuela.