Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 24, 2020

Photo: Just as important in a public health crisis is how the authorities manage the disclosure of the information about the virus. (Reuters)

Richard McGregor, ABC News Online: When there's no incentive to report problems, it's little wonder coronavirus spread through China

It is too early to make a definitive judgement about how Beijing has handled the outbreak of the potentially deadly coronavirus in Wuhan, a city of 11 million in central China.

But it is already clear that any assessment will have to take into account not just the medical side of the virus's spread.

Just as important in a public health crisis is how the authorities manage the disclosure of the information about the virus within the government, and to the public.

So far, the handling of the crisis seems to have underlined one of the ongoing problems with the authoritarian strictures of the party-state, which places a premium on the control of information in the name of maintaining stability.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 24, 2020

Wuhan declares ‘state of war’ against virus -- Jeff Pao, Asia Times

Chinese New Year: Entering the Year of the Rat amid the coronavirus crisis -- Megan Chua & Elizabeth Grenier, DW

‘Chinese Dream’ turns into Wuhan virus nightmare -- Gordon Watts, Asia Times

State Department Seeks Maximum Pressure On Iran In Syria -- Matthew Petti, National Interest

Where will Iran strike back against the US? -- Joshua Meservey, Washington Examiner

Damaged By Drone Strike: Suleimani's Sainthood Is Now Being Questioned -- Geneive Abdo, National Interest

How Long Before the Regime Falls in Iran? -- Art Keller, Quilette

Explainer: What do we know about Trump's Mideast peace plan? -- Stephen Farrell, Reuters

Has Felix Tshisekedi tackled DR Congo's six biggest problems? -- Gaius Kowene BBC News

Russia’s Puzzling Moves -- George Friedman, GPF

A new era in Russia will allow America to rethink its policy -- Jeffrey Mankoff, The Hill

Russia and Poland’s war of words over the second world war -- Ben Sixsmith, The Spectator

Emmanuel Macron Risks It All in Act II of His Presidency -- Britta Sandberg, Spiegel