RFE/RL in the Media
# "The New York Times" cites Golnaz Esfandiari for correcting the record on widely misquoted remarks by Rohani
# Esfandiari also interviewed by "The Daily Beast" to comment on the importance of a statement attributed to Rohani on Twitter and by "BBC5" on the new president's promises of moderation
# "The Washington Post" cites Tom Balmforth on asylum for Snowden
Iran
# Rohani sworn in, prioritizes economic problems
# White House statement offers olive branch
# Rohani's think tank
# "The Wilson Center's" "Buzzfeed" listicle arguing that "Iran's new president is different"
Middle East
# "Damascus: What's Left" - Sarah Birke, "The New York Review of Books"
# In first interview since overthrow, General Sisi slams U.S.
# "Tamarod" founder criticizes military in "Washington Post" op-ed
# "Political Islam's Loss of Democratic Legitimacy" - Timur Kuran, "Project Syndicate"
Russia
# "Snowden and Sochi: The Foreigner's Exemption" - Masha Lipman, "The New Yorker"
# "Commentary: Why Boycotting Winter Olympics in Anti-Gay Russia isn't the Right Move" - Kevin Rector, "The Baltimore Sun"
# "Why Russia Turned Against the Gays" - Miriam Elder, "Buzzfeed"
# American rock band's Moscow concerts cancelled after it desecrates Russian flag (Video); band attacked by angry Cossacks (Video); band leaves Russia
Afghanistan/Pakistan
# U.S. government contracts reportedly going to Taliban supporters
# Pakistan preachers compete for ratings
# "Who's Stealing Afghanistan's Cultural Treasures?" - John Wendle, "National Geographic"
Iraq
# "Israel's Iraq Channel" - Jacky Hugi, "Al Monitor"
Central Asia
# "Kongar-ol Ondar, a Master of a Vocal Art, Dies at 51" - Margalit Fox, "The New York Times"
# "Pentagram" in Kazakhstan roils conspiracy theorists
Caucasus
# Medvedev says Russian relations with Georgia will improve with Saakashvili exit
Eastern Europe
# Second anniversary of arrest of Belarusian human rights activist
# Europe presses for deal on Tymoshenko; Yanukovich wants her out of politics
Of Interest
# "Despite Administration Promises, Few Signs of Change in Drone Wars" - Mark Mazzetti and Mark Landler, "The New York Times"
# "Arab Atheists, Though Few, Inch Out of the Shadows" - Diaa Hadid, AP
# "The Trauma of Being Alive" - Mark Epstein, "The New York Times"