In the Crimea, with a Russian-descent majority, there is agitation for secession from Ukraine.

It seems to me that if the inhabitants of the Crimea want to become part of Russia, they should be allowed to do so; therefore, I suggest committing to hold a plebiscite in two years time to decide this.

That will give the Crimeans a chance to see whether the government of Ukraine is democratic and to think about whether they really prefer to be ruled by Putin.

Iranian journalist and dissident Mohammad Nurizad was attacked and arrested by thugs as he protested in front of the "intelligence ministry".

Turkish PM Erdogan is accused of corruption with phone call recordings he claims are falsified.

I don't know what the truth is about these recordings, but it is clear that he is the enemy of freedom in Turkey.

Kareem Khan was grabbed by Pakistani thugs and tortured for campaigning against US drone attacks.

[Somali] Security Agents Still Hound Journalist After Detaining, Torturing Him.