The Rundown -- August 1

# Brian Whitmore interviewed on Czech 24

# Ukraine economy accelerates decline

# Vice dispatch: uncovering the mass graves

# "The Ukraine Crisis Explained In GIFs And In-Depth Policy Papers From Esteemed Political Institutions"

# Russia's blogger law goes into effect today

# Putin has unleashed forces he can't control

# Is Moscow using Ukrainian refugees to shift balance in Muslim-majority regions?

# The cats that guard the Hermitage

# A rundown of Russian memes

# Afghanistan vote audit will restart over the weekend

# Rare sectarian attack in Afghanistan, where 14 Shi'ite Muslims are killed

# U.S. says Pakistan Waziristan offensive is disrupting militant attacks

# At least 32 people drown at Karachi beach

# Quds forces scoff at calls to disarm Hamas

# "You Don't Get to the 21st Century by Arresting Journalists" - Christopher Schroeder

# Is Gaza making a nuclear deal less likely?

# Iran reportedly considering banning Samsung over Israeli commercial

# Iraq conflict has benefited Assad

# Pro-government militias' "trail of death"

# Christians desperate

Caucasus

# Turkey's "Twitter spies"