Time now for our regular slot African Perspective, which will now be known as the Global Perspective as we broaden our reach by moving beyond the African continent. This morning we are profiling Russia - the largest country on earth, which emerged from a decade of post-Soviet economic and political turmoil to seek to reassert itself as a world power. For more on the country

GUEST: Alexander Kulyaev - Second Secretary Press-Attaché for the Russian Embassy in the Republic of South Africa