Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 20, 2015

Nuclear Test. Sonicbomb

Mark S. Bell, Washington Post: Okay, so what if Iran does get nuclear weapons?

The recent Iranian nuclear deal is a historic agreement that could significantly delay, and perhaps prevent, Iran from getting nuclear weapons. But what if the deal fails? Either Iran or a future U.S. administration could ultimately walk away from this deal. What could Iran do with nuclear weapons if it were to acquire them?

Pundits and scholars have tended toward extremes in answering this question. Optimists argue that nuclear weapons are not much use for anything other than deterring nuclear attack. Nuclear weapons, therefore, would not enable Iran to do much in international politics that it cannot already do. Pessimists argue that nuclear weapons are powerful tools of international statecraft. According to this view, acquiring nuclear weapons would enable Iran to engage in a range of behaviors that are currently too dangerous for Iran to undertake.

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 20, 2015

Text of draft agreement between IAEA, Iran on inspections at Parchin military site -- AP

Why Did the AP Alter and Restore Its Story on Iran’s Nuclear Inspection Side Deal? -- Martin Matishak, Fiscal Times

Nuclear Inspections Farce Puts Democrats to the Test -- Jonathan S. Tobin, Commentary

The So-Called Iranian Threat -- Noam Chomsky, Tom Dispatch

With scholar's killing, ISIL steps up war on history -- James Denselow, Al Jazeera

How Islamic State Pushes Egypt Toward Chaos -- Noah Feldman, Bloomberg

The ugly threat of an ISIL with chemical weapons -- Michael Stephens, Al Jazeera

Why the Suburbs Matter to Assad -- Kevin Sullivan, The Compass

After North Korean Shelling, Another Look at South Korea's 'Trustpolitik' -- John Power, The Diplomat

Japan, Asia must move on from the war -- Frank Ching, The Globe and Mail

Don't Forget Land Wars in Asia -- Van Jackson, The Diplomat

West Must Be Wary of Ukraine's Leaders -- Nicholas Kaufmann, Moscow Times

The Soviet Playbook in Ukraine -- Aaron Korwea, Atlantic Institute

A Russian Economy Invested in Crisis -- Dan McGroarty, Real Clear World

Al-Qaida is losing the battle for jihadi hearts and minds -- Daniel L. Byman and Jennifer R. Williams, Brookings

There is no silver bullet': Isis, al-Qaida and the myths of terrorism -- Jason Burke, The Guardian

Ashley Madison impact: Is the Internet responsible for more marriages or divorces? -- Helen Coster, Reuters