Russia

# CEO of French oil giant dies in Moscow plane crash

# Russia widens crackdown on McDonald’s

# “Putin’s Coup” – Ben Judah, Politico

# Use of Spice, a synthetic drug, growing in Russia

# A meeting in the U.S. with Russian officials checking on “health and welfare” 

 

Ukraine

# Ukrainian army appears to have used cluster bombs in Donetsk

# Ukraine votes for parliament with “fresh CVs”

# For first time, Communists in danger of not winning seats in parliament

 

Eastern Europe

# Belarus as “peacemaker” between Russia and West?

# Belarus to re-introduce “vagrancy” has administrative offense

 

Iraq/Syria

# U.S. appears to be taking advantage of IS gathering around Kobani; extremist group has lost some 400 men there

# “What Do Kobani Airdrops Mean for Regional Politics?” – Amberin Zaman, Al Monitor

# IS may have killed 700 in putting down tribal revolt

# Brookings says U.S. must respond to IS social media threat

# Sunni Arabs feel sting of discrimination in northern Iraq

 

Iran

# Iran state media blames Turkey for death of Press TV reporter

# The Saudi Arabia-Iran clash

# West unmoved by Iran “compromises” in nuclear talks

# “On Iran: Congress, Please Step Aside” – Navid Hassibi, National Interest

 

Afghanistan/Pakistan

# Despite $7 billion U.S. campaign, opium production in Afghanistan at record high

# Three massive challenges that will decide Afghanistan’s future

# Pakistan’s complicated relationship with Malala 

# Islamabad said to have world’s worst airport

 

Of Interest

# A single topic news site

# Ten trends news orgs should not be following

# Up in the air

# Saving cat
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