The Rundown -- December 9

# CNN and Reuters use RFE/RL Afghan Service video of aftermath of Taliban attack

# Joanna Paraszczuk, author of "Under the Black Flag" blog, interviewed by Syria Direct

# "Guardian" and "Spiegel" cover Khadija Ismayilova detention

# Read Golnaz Esfandiari in Informed Comment on Iranian unwed couples living together

# Russia looking for a way out of crisis behind the scenes?

# Infographics explore differences between Americans and Russians

# Russia's strategy for undermining West "working"; on Moscow's links with Europe's right

# The downfall of the ruble in one chart

# "Novaya Gazeta" claims Moscow trying to convince separatists to accept autonomy within Ukraine

# "Obama Playing the Long Game Against Putin in Ukraine" - Will Ritter, "Kyiv Post"

# Courtney Weaver explores Ukraine's separatist leadership

# Prominent journalist detained in Belarus

# "Moldova's Woes Make It Fair Game for Russia" - William Hill, "Moscow Times"

# Iraqi officials want to retake Mosul this winter, despite U.S. warnings

# Gulf states set to form NATO-inspired military alliance

# IS fighters killing "faster than statisticians can count"

# "ISIS Has a Message. Do We?" - Jamie Dettmer, Daily Beast

# U.S. privately accuses Iran of breaking sanctions

# Sanctions monitors say photos of Soleimani in Iraq defy travel ban

# Kazakhstan involved in serious PPP bid for ring road in Almaty

# Kazakhs buying rubles for bargain-shopping along Russian border; but Tenge crunched

# Combat mission ends after 13 years

# "The Brave Women Fighting for Afghanistan's Future" - Lyse Doucet, BBC

# Pakistan schools in crisis

# A Pakistani slave's path to freedom

Of Interest