The Rundown -- December 12

# Buzzfeed on the Khadija Ismayilova detention and why it may mean the "end of free speech" in Azerbaijan

# "Washington Post" editorial on Ismayilova

# Ismayilova lawyer disbarred

# Crimean de facto prime minister comes with Putin to India

# Putin's friends still reaping billions, but perhaps causing tension outside his circle

# Russia raises interest rate to 10.5 percent; is Russia's economic crisis being overstated?

# Moscow "shocked" by CIA torture report

# "A New Reformist Offensive in Ukraine" - Anders Aslund, "Kyiv Post"

# "The Corrupt Cops of Rebel-Held East Ukraine" - Kristina Jovanovski, Daily Beast

# How a 29-year-old Ukrainian made a billion on Russian gas

# Christian Caryl: The biggest threat to Ukraine is corruption, not Putin

# "How Worried Should We be About Moldova's Recent Uranium-Smuggling Bust?" - Mark Hay, Vice

# Baghdad presses Hagel for greater military support

# "Guardian" long read: "ISIS: The Inside Story"

# IS used predatory tactics to convince American teens to join

# TV channel says most popular IS Twitter account is run by an Indian executive

# Iran reporting: The "risks, rewards and mysteries"

# Is Iran stalling for time in nuclear negotiations?

# Detention of "Washington Post" reporter taking "devastating toll" on him

# U.S. closes its final detention center in Afghanistan

# "Afghanistan Uncertainties" - Geoffrey Norman, "National Review"

# Malala plans to return to Pakistan next year

# FBI investigation into ex-US diplomat casts cloud over relations with Pakistan

# Rock star takes trip to Uzbekistan and doesn't perform at party

# 20th Century Fox reportedly to open Kazakhstan office

Of Interest