Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- December 21, 2011

North Koreans make a call of condolence for deceased leader Kim Jong-il at the Kim Il-sung Plaza in Pyongyang Wednesday. KCNA/REUTERS

Did Kim Jong-il Death Ruin Breakthrough Deal On North Korea Nukes? -- Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor

Before the death of Kim Jong-il, the US was close to working out a deal to give food aid to North Korea in exchange for steps toward denuclearization. Now those talks are on hold.


The death of Kim Jong-il has disrupted an American plan to encourage North Korea to curb its nuclear arsenal, and the uncertainties surrounding the “dear leader’s” replacement mean US officials have little choice for now but to sit tight.

Before the announcement of Mr. Kim's death Sunday, the US was on the verge of completing a deal to exchange humanitarian assistance for North Korean steps toward denuclearization.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

What to Do, and Not Do, About North Korea -- Robert L. Gallucci, New York Times
Why U.S.-China Strategic Competition Is Unlikely to Help Manage North Korea’s Transition -- Tony Karon, Time
Pyongyang’s Proliferation -- Eben Harrell, Time
Fallout is just beginning in North Korea -- Ian Bremmer, Reuters
Will Kim Jong Il's death make Korean reunification possible? -- The Week
Nothing New Under the Son -- Joseph Sternberg, Wall Street Journal

In Iraq, a return to old enmities -- Washington Post editorial
Analysis: Iraq Crisis Raises Specter of Sectarian Strife -- New York Times/Reuters
Iraq: left to the wolves -- The Guardian editorial
Iraq After the War: Maliki’s Attack on Sunni Leaders Suggests a Dark, Divided Future -- Tony Karon, Time
Out of Iraq: The War Is Over But the Repercussions Are Just Beginning -- Martin Peretz, New Republic

Why Syria's Regime Is Doomed -- Bernard Gwertzman, Council On Foreign Relations
Is the White House Gearing Up for Action on Syria? -- Max Fisher, The Atlantic

Biden’s Taliban buddies: Why are we killing them if they’re not our enemy? -- Washington Times editorial

If Iran develops nuclear weapons the UK must not consider war as unpalatable -- Abhijit Pandya, Daily Mail

Oil, guns, and money: Libya's revolution isn't over -- David Kenner, Foreign Policy

Egypt’s Military Masters -- New York Times editorial

Argentina's Lessons for a Crisis-Ridden Europe -- Jens Glüsing, Spiegel Online

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