The Rundown -- December 17

RFE/RL in the Media

# Reuters opinion piece says RFE/RL should give a greater voice to ethnic minorities in Iran

# UPI cites RFE/RL interview with CIS official who said Turkmenistan elections were "fair"

Ukraine

# Yanukovych visits Russia today, where he's likely to get credit, discounts for natural gas

# Perspective from the pro-government protesters in Ukraine

# Anders Aslunds's modest proposal to fix Ukraine's financial crisis

# An interview with Klitschko, who is giving up his boxing title

# Bildt says Russian threat like U.S. telling Mexico it will pull out of NAFTA

# Adam Michnik talks the Ukrainian question

Russia

# Poll: Only one percent of Russians actively interested in politics

# South Stream is "viable but legally risky"

# Russia deploys Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad

Eastern Europe

# "Bullied by Russia, But Resolute" - Celestine Bohlen, "New York Times"

Middle East
# Car bomb hits Hezbollah stronghold
# Detailed map of Syrian IDP and refugee camps

Iran
# Rohani's power limited at home
# Last known man to see Levinson alive says he was detained by plainclothes police
# Saudi prince demands Gulf states play direct role in talks with Iran

Afghanistan/Pakistan

# Cameron declares "mission accomplished"

# Karzai presses for Indian investment

# Pakistani Shi'ite cleric shot dead in reprisal

# In anti-terror move, imports of phones must be approved by Pakistani telecom agency

# Pakistani man, frustrated with government, turns to Taliban with request to help free kidnapped son

# Vice profiles Altaf Hussain

Central Asia

# Ninety-one percent turnout for Turkmen vote

Of Interest

# Why reporters should know how to code

# Interactive map of international crises