Kurile Islands get a name

Kurile Islands get a name: Russia and Japan are displaying a strong desire to change their relationship for the better. Yet as Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda prepares to visit Moscow in December, skies remain overcast. Russia's naming this week of one of the disputed Kurile Islands will antagonize Japan, while for Russian President Vladimir Putin, concerns over US missile defense systems on Japanese soil loom much larger. - M K Bhadrakumar (Sep 11, '12)