The Rundown -- April 14

# Read Fred Petrossian in the "Washington Post" on the decline of Iran's blogosphere

# NPR cites RFE/RL on Ukraine crisis

# Al Arabiya uses RFE/RL photo of controversial Iranian diplomat

# Russia spent higher percentage of GDP on arms than U.S. for first time since 2003

# Some 5,000 protest government media crackdown in Moscow

# "It's Time to Stop Romanticizing Russia" - Christian Neef, Spiegel

# Russia's role is to "incite, support and protect" Ukraine militants

# "Putin Can Take Ukraine Without an Invasion, and Probably Will" - Jamie Detmer, Daily Beast

# Churkin says up to west to avoid civil war

# Miners have joined the pro-Russia protests in Donetsk

# Ukraine says it can prove Russia coordinated attacks

# U.S. State Department: "Ten more false claims about Ukraine"

# Status of towns in eastern Ukraine as of 9PM

# Abdullah ahead so far in vote count, but runoff likely

# "The diplomatic brain drain" in Afghanistan

# Pakistan says next round of Taliban talks coming

# Judge dismisses murder charge against 9-year-old

# Iran says it's sticking with UN nominee despite U.S. objections

# Iran calls off plan to send warships to Atlantic

# "Are Iran and Israel Trading Places?" - Abbas Milani and Israel Waismel-Manor, "New York Times"

# "Sanctions are Eased; Iran Sees Little Relief" - Rick Gladstone, "New York Times"

# Public executions in Iran draw crowds

# The photographer who stages murders in Iran

# Sarkisian says he won't run for president again

# Kazakhstan fears "Russian spring"

# Kazakh authorities may soon have ability to cut all communications within hours

# "Will ‘Dostumistan’ Be Established Near Afghanistan’s Border With Uzbekistan?" - Jamestown Foundation