Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- September 3, 2014

NATO’s Dilemma: How Tough To Get With Russia -- Charlotte McDonald-Gibson, Time

The alliance must decide at its leaders summit this week how to react militarily to the incursions into Ukraine without getting into a dangerous standoff with Moscow.

The NATO leaders’ summit taking place in Wales this week was always going to be a crucial opportunity for the alliance to redefine its role in a changing world. One year ago, it was expected to be dominated by soul-searching over its relevancy, with its troops finally gone from Afghanistan.

A lot changes in a year. Russia’s military incursions into Ukraine and forays across European borders once believed sacrosanct have inspired a new sense of purpose in the organization, which experienced its heyday in Cold War. Its diplomats are in their element, vowing protection for member nations and pledging support for Ukrainian sovereignty.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- September 3, 2014

At NATO, goal is to curb Russia but not provoke it -- John-Thor Dahlburg, Stars and Stripes/AP

Far from keeping the peace, Nato is a threat to it -- Seumas Milne, The Guardian

Why Nato-Russia relations soured before Ukraine -- Laurence Peter BBC News

Obama at NATO: Can US energy save Baltic allies? -- Jared Gilmour, CSM

Russia-Ukraine conflict shows money isn’t the root of all war -- Edward Hadas, Reuters

Europe Is on the Brink of Its First War in Decades. Here's What the West Must Do. -- Bernard-Henri Levy, New Republic

Scrimping on NATO -- Gary J. Schmitt, New York Times

A political coming of age in the Gulf -- Rami G. Khouri, The Daily Star

Japan's 'democracy diplomacy' counterbalances China -- Daniel Twining, Nikkei Asian Review

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Speaks Truth to the Powers -- Michael Curtis, American Thinker

Second ‘beheading’: More pressure on West? -- Inside Story/Al Jazeera

After Steven Sotloff Murder, Congress Demands a Vote on Obama’s ISIS War -- Josh Rogin, The Daily Beast

Is Obama Taking ISIS Seriously Enough? -- Ron Fournier, National Journal

Islamic State 101: What the US is doing to counter the threat -- Anna Mulrine. CSM

Will ISIS Help Pave Way for Iranian Nuke? -- Jonathan S. Tobin, Commentary