RFE/RL in the Media
# Read Arzu Geybullayeva in Al Jazeera on "what is not being reported in Azerbaijan"
# Breitbart cites Under the Black Flag blog for story on IS roof executions
# The Independent cites RFE/RL on protests in Ingushetia against Charlie Hebdo cartoons
# Washington Post and AJ+ use RFE/RL Armenian Service video of protests in Gyumri
Ukraine
# Ukrainian forces say they have recaptured most of Donetsk Airport after largest offensive in months
# Putins spokesman claims he had offered to pull out heavy weapons
# Kremlin advisor says "full scale war" could be coming
# "Putin Is in No Hurry to Resolve Ukraine Crisis" - Vladimir Frolov, "Moscow Times"
Russia
# Roman Abramovich is buying a block of New York City real estate to build a mansion, according to the New York Post
# "Russia's Prominent Prisoners Reflect Tension With Its Neighbors" - Corey Flintoff, NPR
# "Russia’s “Trans Driving Ban” Doesn’t Really Target LGBT Community. It Actually Targets the Mentally Ill" - Jay Michaelson, Daily Beast
# "Russia’s “Trans Driving Ban” Doesn’t Really Target LGBT Community. It Actually Targets the Mentally Ill" - Jay Michaelson, Daily Beast
Eastern Europe
# Lithuania Defense Ministry to distribute manual to citizens on how to handle Russian invasion
Iraq/Syria
# IS releases about 250 Yazidi hostages, mostly elderly and children (video)
# Lack of political reconciliation in Iraq risks gains for IS
# "Sunnis in Iraq Are Kept Waiting for Reforms, and Word on Loved Ones" - Tim Arango, New York Times
# "ISIS Aims to Occupy Mecca" - William Young, Newsweek
Iran
# "Limited" progress at nuclear talks in Geneva
# Senate looks to move ahead on Iran sanctions bill
Afghanistan/Pakistan
# Official confirms IS presence in Afghanistan
# More Afghanistan arrests over Pakistan school massacre
# A student tells of his return to school following the Peshawar attack
# Anti-Charlie rally in Pakistan draws 5,000
Central Asia
# The nine countries threatened by Russia's ruble crisis
# The nine countries threatened by Russia's ruble crisis
Caucasus
# Armenia rejects Turkish invitation to Gallipoli ceremony, noting it falls on day of genocide remembrance
Of Interest
# Miss Lebanon says Miss Israel photo-bombed her