New bill allows Russian troops to be deployed abroad

11/11/09: The LIft reports that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has approved an amended law that will allow the use of Russian armed forces abroad for an expanded list of reasons.  Prior to the amendment, the law only allowed the president to send armed forces to foreign territories to fight terrorism.

08/10/09: Jurist reports that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday submitted a bill to the State Duma that would allow Russian troops to intervene beyond Russian borders. The legislation, proposed in response to last August's South Ossetia conflict, would allow intervention by Russian troops in order to protect Russian citizens abroad. The proposed law would also allow intervention for "reflecting and the prevention of aggression against another State" and to "combating piracy and ensuring the safety of navigation."