RFE/RL in the Media
# "New York Times" says new Russian news agency's network of bureaus resembles structure of RFE/RL
# Reason cites RFE/RL reporting on Ukraine crisis
Ukraine
# Pro-Kremlin analyst says he expects situation in Ukraine to explode in the coming days
# "Is Eastern Ukraine Becoming a People’s Republic or Puppet State?" - Alec Luhn, "Nation"
Russia
# Russian central bank floats ruble
# Russia has yet another international news outlet; CNN, meanwhile, being forced out
# British NGO outlines nearly 40 international incidents involving Russia since start of Ukraine crisis
# "Russia is a Bigger Problem Than ISIS for Obama" - Gideon Rachman, "Financial Times"
# Russia and North Korea sign agreement to deport illegal immigrants
Eastern Europe
# Lithuanian charged with spying for Belarus
Iraq/Syria
# Syrian rebel leader says attacks on IS undermining anti-Assad forces
# Turks increasingly sympathetic to IS
# What life is really like under IS rule
# Inside the CIA's Syrian rebel vetting machine
Iran
# Sides appear to still be far apart as nuclear deadline looms
# Khamenei outlines plan to "eliminate" Israel
# Iran's copy of captured U.S. drone takes flight
# European banks accused of facilitating Iran-backed attacks on US troops in Iraq
Afghanistan/Pakistan
# New government brings "hope of change" in Afghanistan
# On child labor in Afghanistan
# Secret memo warns IS has "master plan" for Pakistan
# IS posters popping up in Lahore
Caucasus
# OSCE urges Azerbaijan to stop repressions of free media
Balkans
# Kosovo and Serbia PMs spar on live TV
# "Georgia's Game of Throne" - Christina Maza, Balkanist
Central Asia
# Nervous Kazakhstan "sensitive" about Ukraine question
# Kazakhstan paroles ex-officer jailed for murder of opposition leader
Of Interest
# Facebook app poses dilemma for publishers