The Rundown -- September 16

RFE/RL

# The Advocate, Raw Story and several other sites use Alisher Sidikov and Claire Bigg's reporting on horrific anti-gay attack on Uzbek in Russia # The Daily Mail and Huffington Post cite Daisy Sindelar's reporting on the "Miss Uzbekistan" mystery

# Brookings cites Golnaz Esfandiari's reporting on communication between Obama and Rohani

Syria

# A "big, demonstrable show" necessary for Assad to prove he's serious

# What to look for in UN chemical weapons report

# A roundup of human rights violations detailed in UN report

# For Assad, using chemical weapons has paid off, for now

# "A Win-Win-Win for Everyone (Except the Syrians)" - Fred Kaplan, Slate

# "The Puny Superpower" - James P. Rubin, "Newsweek"

Russia

# "If Holden Caulfield spoke Russian" - Reed Johnson, "The New Yorker"

# United Russia Duma deputy, Olympic legend and mother of HuffPost Live anchor Tweets racist Obama photo

# "Analysis: Russia Wants Seat Back at Mideast Table" - Steven R. Hurst, AP

# Photos - Metallica at the Kremlin

Iran

# Obama confirms exchange of letters with Rohani

# An Obama-Rohani meeting at the UN?

# Khamenei reportedly gives Rohani permission to hold direct talks on nuclear issue

# Iranian officials say next nuclear talks could be held in Iran

# Iran reacts cautiously to Syria deal

Afghanistan/Pakistan

# Hindus fleeing persecution in Pakistan

# High-ranking Pakistani general killed by Taliban

# Troubles with exit route through Pakistan are costly for U.S.

# Women commit 95 percent of Afghanistan suicides

# Profile of "the father of the Taliban"

Central Asia

# "Rising China, Sinking Russia" - "The Economist"

Balkans

# Kosovo and Macedonia end trade dispute

Caucasus

# Author of controversial "torture" letter is new British Ambassador to Azerbaijan
# Grandfather of imprisoned Azerbaijani youth activist reportedly commits suicide in protest

Of Interest

# "The Geeks on the Frontlines" - David Kushner, "Rolling Stone"

# Jellyfish are the worst