RFE/RL in the Media
# Guardian uses RFE/RL photos of Uzbek buzkashi
# Washington Times cites RFE/RL report about EU considering "terrorist" designation for Ukraine separatists
# Institute for War and Peace Reporting features RFE/RL Georgian Service reporting from "no man's land" on boundary with South Ossetia
Russia
# Greece is one hold out on call for new Russia sanctions; sanctions now "Syriza's bargaining chip"; (read Rob Coalson's piece about extremely close ties with Russian influencers)
# "Why Putin Is the Big Winner in Greeceās Elections" - Keith Johnson and Jamila Trindle, Foreign Policy
# Russian Duma to consider condemnation of West Germany's "annexation" of East Germany
# Split with Stephen Cohen among scholars goes public over dissertation prize
# "Russia Is Waging an Invisible War in Dagestan" - Tanya Lokshina, HRW
Ukraine
# Bellingcat reconstructs May 9 Mariupol clash -- says shooting provoked by separatists
# Ukraine clamps down on travel to and from separatist areas
# Is Putin's statement about a "foreign NATO legion" a trial balloon aimed at ramping up military engagement in eastern Ukraine?
# "How Ukraine's Outgunned 'Cyborgs' Lost Donetsk Airport" - Sergei Loiko, LA Times
Iraq/Syria
# Increased Iraq output heightens intra-OPEC conflict
# Jordan offers prisoner swap for hostage pilot
# "All-But-Forgotten Prisoner in Jordan Is Suddenly at Center of Swap Demand by ISIS" - Rod Norland and Ranya Kadri, New York Times
Iran
# Washington Post journalist to stand trial "soon" in Iran
# "Would a U.S. Strike Against Iran Actually Work?" - James Fallows, Atlantic
# Democratic support for Iran sanctions bill waning
# On Iran's goals in Syria
Afghanistan/Pakistan
# Afghanistan arrests militants linked to journalist's killing
# "Pakistanis View Obama's India Visit With A Touch Of Irritation" - Philip Reeves, NPR
# "In Pakistan, a Charity Project Points to Official Tolerance of Militants" - Saba Imtiaz and Declan Walsh
Central Asia
# Kazakhstan bans rallies, fearing Ukraine-style turmoil, according to UN report
Caucasus
Balkans
# Dozens injured in Kosovo anti-government demonstrations
Of Interest
# How BBC thinks about its future