Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 23, 2016

Su-24 bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces at the Khmeimim airbase in Syria. © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik

Howard LaFranchi, CSM: One year on, Russia's war in Syria is hardly the predicted 'quagmire'

US interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan got bogged down by ambitious goals. In Syria, Russia has kept it simple and is gaining in influence in the region because of it.

WASHINGTON — When Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his forces to the rescue of Syria's Bashar al-Assad a year ago, President Obama predicted that the Russians would end up trapped in a “quagmire.”

Today, Russia hardly appears to be bogged down and instead has reestablished itself as a power in the Middle East.

Russian bombers and special forces have solidified President Assad's hold on Syria, making it possible for him to retake parts of the country once considered irretrievably lost to opposition forces, including moderate rebels armed by the Central Intelligence Agency.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 23, 2016

Russia’s Illusion of Influence in the Middle East -- Kamran Bokhari, Geopolitical Futures

Why ‘Cash for Prisoners’ May End Up Being Least of U.S. Concerns Over Payment to Iran -- Aaron David Miller, WSJ

Why peace is prevailing, for now, in south Lebanon -- Nicholas Blanford, CSM

Is Biden's Visit a Last Chance for Turkey and America? -- Kemal Kirisci, National Interest

The US and NATO Need Turkey -- Halil I. Danismaz, Time

Japan, China, South Korea aim for common ground -- Jonathan Miller, DW

U.S.-China Perception Gap in the South China Sea -- David J. Firestein, The Diplomat

North Korea: A Realistic Path to Regime Change -- Robert E. Kelly, The Interpreter

The Foundations of Pacific Stability -- Eric K. Fanning, Project Syndicate

India Plays the Balochistan Card - With China -- David Brewster, The Interpreter

Everything you need to know to understand the Niger Delta Avengers and their quest for secession -- Adetula David, Ventures Africa

Sisi faces the uncertain promise of Suez -- Geoffrey Aronson, Al Jazeera

Pro-EU camp humiliated again as UK economy surges -- The Commentator

Italexit Would Make Brexit Look Like a Picnic -- Desmond Lachman, Economics21

Don't Censor Terrorists' Names -- Noah Feldman, Bloomberg

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