Obviously an expression of the post-Obama thaw in US-Russia relations:

The Russian navy said that its sole aircraft carrier and several accompanying ships left their base and were heading to the Atlantic and the Mediterranean... Dygalo said in a statement that the ships would perform combat training and visit several ports during the tour which would take several months.

So much for the economic crisis that's supposedly threatening Putin's popularity. Cutting-edge foreign policy analysis, that is. On the exact same level - and brought to you by the same experts - as the idea that Medvedev is a centrist in control of the Russian government. But look on the bright side. This might not be reckless naval power projection. Maybe Putin's just looking for those nukes that Russia most certainly did not lose.

At least Russia's not also gobbling up European energy supplies to use as economic and geopolitical leverage.

References:
* Russian warships head to Atlantic, Mediterranean [JPost]
* Russia's crumbling economy provides stiffest test yet for autocratic leader [Telegraph]
* Turns Out, Foreign Policy Sophisticates A Little Over-Optimistic About Surging Russian Expansionism [MR]
* Russia rejects charges that nukes are missing [JPost]
* Russia Tightens Europe’s Energy Noose [Kern / PJM]

Previously:
* Libya Getting Hooked Up With Russian Nuclear Tech
* Great News: Arctic Melting Promises New Resources, Geopolitical Disaster (Plus: Dems Killing Our Nuclear Deterrent)
* Syria Following Iranian Model, Building Multiple Redundant Nuclear Facilities