Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- October 2, 2014

ISIS-held Syrian oil refineries before and after coalition airstrikes.

US-Led Airstrikes In Syria Are A Dangerous Half-Measure -- Frederic C. Hof, Business Insider/Atlantic Council

The decision of the Obama administration to strike Islamic State targets (as well as some associated with another al-Qaeda derivative) in Syria is laudable. The participation of multiple Arab partners is commendable: the fight against this vacuum-filling band of murderers, torturers, and thieves is, in its essence, an Arab fight against pagan barbarism.

To the extent, however, that the number one catalyst of state failure in Syria and the consequent rise of the Islamic State—the Assad regime—is permitted to enjoy the role of honored guest at the kinetic proceedings, the entire enterprise will boil down to the political-military equivalent of one hand clapping.

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- October 2, 2014

Leon Panetta: How the White House Misplayed Iraqi Troop Talks -- Leon Panetta, Time

Israeli Defense Minister: Two-State Solution Impossible -- Abraham Rabinovich, Washington Free Beacon

Paying Afghanistan’s Bills -- New York Times editorial

Hong Kong: Defying the Chinese Dream -- Zarina Banu, Al Jazeera

The Uglier Side of the Hong Kong Protests -- Christopher Beam, New Republic

Who Loves China? -- Ian Buruma, Project Syndicate

Russia and Iran Lock NATO Out of Caspian Sea -- Jacopo Dettoni, The Diplomat

Putin Is Winning: EU Backs Away From Ukraine Trade Pact; U.S. On The Sidelines -- Paul Roderick Gregory, Forbes

Russia’s economy: On the edge of recession -- The Economist

First Scotland, Now Spain -- Bloomberg editorial

NATO allies must work closely together, but do their missile defense systems? -- Francis Mahon, Reuters

Brazilians May Opt for Experience over Change in Election -- Roger Noriega, Real Clear World

Pre-election spending in Brazil: A final splurge -- The Economist

Dalai Lama visa issue sinks Nobel laureates' summit. Where can he travel? -- Robert Marquand, CSM

How the White House intruder story came out and what we can expect next -- Jack Shafer, Reuters

Behind the Scenes With a ‘Site Agent’: The Secret Service’s Hardest Job -- Marc Ambinder, Daily Beast