In what is now becoming a familiar scene at international economic meetings, police and anti-globalization protesters clashed violently in Genoa, Italy, as leaders of the world's seven richest countries and Russia met to discuss the threat of a world recession, liberalizing trade, and global warming. The violence began just outside the "red zone" established by security forces to keep protestors away from the summit venue, a medieval palace. Italy and Genoa have been preparing for the conference for weeks, assembling some 20,000 security forces, preparing water cannons, and even placing surface-to-air missiles at the city's airport. As with previous protests, those involved in the marches and rioting represent a wide variety of international economic and human rights causes and espouse a range of tactics, from peaceful marches to deliberate destruction of property. Safely isolated from these protests, the G-8 leaders will discuss issues such as concessions to developing countries, a new round of trade talks, and the danger of a world recession.