Cheat Sheet - The Secret Mastermind Behind Crimea’s Annexation

Today: Pakistan Knew Where Osama Lived , Dems Need to Channel 'House of Cards'' Frank Underwood , NYC Inmate 'Baked to Death' March 19, 2014 Putin's Inner Circle 1. The Mastermind of Russia's Crimea Grab Vladislav Surkov, the Kremlin's "gray cardinal," is at the top of the U.S. sanctions list. Is he pulling Vladimir Putin's strings? Anna Nemtsova and Eli Lake report on the man who's shadowed Russia's leaders, especially Putin. Read it at The Daily Beast RED-HANDED 2. Pakistan Knew Where Osama bin Laden Lived Documents collected from Osama bin Laden's house in Pakistan and the word of an anonymous Pakistani official both contradict the official story from Pakistan and the U.S. that Islamabad was unaware that Osama bin Laden was living in Abbottabad. The New York Times Magazine reported Wednesday that the chief of Pakistan's intelligence service, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha, "knew of Osama's whereabouts," according to its source, and the U.S. has "direct evidence" that Pasha knew where bin Laden was. The explosive claim contradicts a White House statement from 2011 that "there's no smoking gun" showing Pakistan knew. In addition, documents from bin Laden's compound contained correspondence between the terrorist and other militant leaders indicating they were protected by Pakistan's intelligence service. For example, bin Laden traveled in convoys—in plain sight—to visit other terrorist honchos, and according to the report they were "always knowingly waved through any security checkpoints." Read it at The New York Times Let's Be Frank 3. Dems Need a Frank Underwood Attention, Democrats: You're going to get crushed this November! Dean Obeidallah writes that if the left hopes to be victorious in the polls, they'd be smart to take a cue from Netflix's callous Congressman-turned-veep by inducing fear, ruthlessly rounding up voters and finding a worthless opponent to crush. Read it at The Daily Beast prison heat 4. NYC Inmate 'Baked to Death' A mentally ill former Marine was found dead in his jail cell last month in New York City's Rikers Island after temperatures hit at least 100 degrees, the Associated Press reported for the first time Wednesday. "He basically baked to death," an official said. Jerome Murdough had been arrested for trespassing after going to sleep in an enclosed stairwell in a Harlem housing project. An internal investigation by the New York Department of Corrections will look into the 56-year-old's death. Read it at The Associated Press CRUSH 5. Rev. Graham: Putin Right on Gays Rev. Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, took to the pages of Decision magazine to extol the virtues of Vladimir Putin. No, not for his annexation of Crimea. The endorsement is for Putin's crackdown on gay activists, which incited outrage among Western countries. Graham writes, "In my opinion, Putin is right on these issues. Obviously, he may be wrong about many things, but he has taken a stand to protect his nation's children from the damaging effects of any gay and lesbian agenda." In fact, Graham believes that as a result, the U.S. has ceded the moral high ground it held during the Cold War. He also writes that President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, "have turned their backs on God and His standards." Read it at Decision HUNGRY U.S. Rations Promised to Ukraine Are M.I.A. As Russian forces attack. HAND IT OVER Toyota Settles With U.S. for $1.2B Largest for car company, ever. HOLD YOUR NOSE Illinois's Romney Takes on Blago's Successor The rumble for governor. TRAGEDY Jagger 'Struggling to Understand' L'Wren Scott's death. MASTER OF EPICS Tolkien's Beowulf to Be Published Translated it 90 years ago. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. The Ultimate Guide to the Next 'Star Wars' by Marina Watts Every Viking 'Fact' Is Wrong by Nico Hines 'Dune': The Lost Classic by Caryn James

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