Commentary, Opinions, And Editorials -- October 30, 2013

Allies In Revolt -- New York Times editorial

It is not every day that America finds itself facing open rebellion from its allies, yet that is what is happening with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel. The Obama administration has denied there are serious problems. But there are clearly differences, some perhaps irreconcilable.

Here’s a quick summary: Saudi Arabia and Israel are deeply worried about the Obama administration’s decision to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran — their mortal enemy. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are sore at President Obama’s refusal to become militarily involved in ousting President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, in particular his decision not to respond with military strikes to Mr. Assad’s use of chemical weapons. Mr. Obama instead chose a diplomatic deal under which Syria’s chemical weapons would be dismantled.

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Reality Intervenes in NSA Debate -- Max Boot, Commentary

Iran Passes the Point of Nuclear No Return -- Jonathan S. Tobin, Commentary

Have Patience With Us: The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Plea to Americans -- Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, New York Times

Q&A: China's restive far west -- Katie Hunt, CNN

China and North Korea: New Thinking, Old Policies -- Richard Weitz, The Diplomat

China’s Pivot West -- Ankit Panda, The Diplomat

China Is Now the OPEC of Rare Earths -- Daniel McGroarty, Real Clear World

India Is Completely Adrift -- Harsh Pant, Real Clear World

10 reasons why François Hollande has flopped in France -- Agnès Poirier, The Guardian

Tymoshenko Release: Ukraine's Geopolitical Future Hangs on Deal -- Christopher Alessi, Spiegel Online

Italy: The Nation That Crushes Its Young -- Beppe Severgnini, New York Times

Could Benghazi be Hillary Clinton’s Waterloo? Why the Libya killings still haunt the former Secretary of State -- Nile Gardiner, The Telegraph

Enough With The Outrage - Spying On Your Allies Is Nothing New -- Jacques Villain, Worldcrunch

If You Want Privacy, Turn Off Your IPhone -- Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg

Interactive: The World Is Falling Out of Love With America — Again -- Chris Wilson, Time