The Rundown -- September 17

# Reuters and Yahoo use RFE/RL Crimean video of armed men surrounding Crimean Tatar Mejlis building

# Carnegie suggests outlets like RFE/RL should broadcast in the Baltics

# Washington Free Beacon cites RFE/RL coverage of vote in Crimea

Russia

# Ukraine ratifies EU deal, offers eastern Ukraine elections

# "Ukraine’s One Step Forward To Europe May Mean Two Steps Back To Russia" - Max Seddon, Buzzfeed

# Ukrainians throw Party of Regions MP into dumpster outside parliament

Iraq/Syria
# Syrian opposition blasts reports that it signed truce with IS

# IS rape campaign across Iraq and Syria

# Pentagon sees possible role for U.S. ground forces in Iraq

# How to make money in Iraq defending those charged with terrorism

# Ghani campaign strategist on how he won "fair and square"

# "A Gang Rape in Afghanistan Is Exploited for Political Theater" - Gary Owen, Vice

# Pakistan politician forced off flight after forcing passengers to wait two hours (the video)

# ul-Qadri often asks his grandchildren for advice

# How Iran could become "shadow enemy" of U.S. in IS campaign; or are they allies?

# "Iran Lawsuit Has Eric Holder Terrified" - Noah Feldman, Bloomberg

# Is Rohani's Iran tilting East?

# Nixon once refused to leave Soviet Union without recipe for plov

# In Kazakhstan, gays threatened with blood test

# "Ukraine Should Avoid Kazakhstan's Example" - Casey Michel, "Moscow Times"