RFE/RL in the Media
# Khadija Ismayilova named one of CPJ's "100 Information Heroes"
# Read Daud Khattak in Foreign Policy on the battle for Pakistani Taliban's "soul"
# RFE/RL cited by Express Tribune for reporting on brother of Afghan Taliban leader reportedly held in Pakistan
# Al Jazeera cites RFE/RL Azerbaijani Service on arrest of Leyla Yunus
# Julia Ioffe takes on Stephen Cohen's pro-Putin bent (his most recent work)
# 100,000 join May Day parade in Moscow
# Russia is now an adversary, says NATO official
# Ukraine crisis showcases revamped Russian military
# "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love What's Happening in Russia" - KermlinRussia, "New Republic"
# Exxon pushes ahead with Rosneft Arctic partnership despite sanctions
Ukraine
# Ukrainian security forces reportedly beginning Slovyansk operation this morning
# More buildings seized; Putin demands Ukrainian military leave the east
# Ukraine reinstates military conscription
# "It's Not Russia That's Pushed Ukraine To The Brink of War" - Seumas Milne, "Guardian"
Eastern Europe
# Sex-trafficking snarls Moldova
Afghanistan/Pakistan
# Did Afghan media underplay the negatives on election day?
# High profile attacks in Afghanistan "skyrocket"
# "Without U.S. Troops, Afghanistan, Like Iraq, Could Descend Into Chaos" - Max Boot, "Los Angeles Times"
# Pakistan seminaries reportedly assisting Pakistan Taliban with extortion
# Pakistani Taliban says it will accept constitution
# "Pakistan: Who’s Afraid of the ISI?" - Ali Sethi, "New York Review of Books"
Iraq
# Election a "slap in the face" to terrorism, says al-Maliki
# Anbar from the perspective of Iraq's army
# "Iraq needs a future without Maliki" - "Financial Times"
Iran
# Iran accused of desecrating Baha'i cemetery
# Approaching "tipping point" in Iran talks
# Iran bans access to WhatsApp
# Former US officials detect shift in Israel on Iran nuclear deal
Central Asia
# Samarkand historic sites on verge of collapse
# Remembering May Day in Uzbekistan
Caucasus
# Creators of movie about Armenian genocide launch IndieGogo fundraising campaign
Of Interest
# Almost 50 percent of Americans think U.S. should be less active in world affairs