Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 29, 2015

Dana El Baltaji, Bloomberg: The Last Kings -Succession in the Persian Gulf

The world has only a handful of old-fashioned kings, the kind whose subjects must follow their every command. Europe’s monarchs gave way to constitutions and elected governments long ago, as did those in Japan and Thailand. Almost all of the remaining absolute monarchs are in the oil-rich countries ringing the Persian Gulf, one of the globe’s most turbulent neighborhoods. That’s focused attention on who will succeed the region’s elderly and increasingly frail sovereigns. Succession could pose a risk to the stability of these countries and their alliances, such as those battling insurgent Islamist groups. As the Arab world grapples with new threats and calls to modernize, the Gulf monarchies remain bound by opaque and centuries-old traditions for passing on power.

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 29, 2015

Saudi King Recasts Line of Succession Over Security Concerns -- Aya Batrawy, Real Clear Defense

With Saudi Arabia Faltering in Yemen, Power in the Region Has Begun To Swing East -- Alastair Cooke, Huffington Post

Reports of Assad’s (Pending) Demise May be Greatly Exaggerated -- Lionel Beehner, Cicero

It’s Still Too Late to Save Syria -- Seth Mandel, Commentary

How Al Qaeda's Syrian Affiliate Jabhat al Nusra Is Trying To Take Northern Lebanon -- Alessandria Masi, IBTimes

Will Iran’s naval moves sink nuclear deal? -- Kristina Wong and Martin Matishak, The Hill

Theft in Kathmandu: Can Nepal’s Cultural Legacy Be Saved? -- Elijah Wolfson, Newsweek

Family Vendettas Turn Southern Philippines Into Clan War Zone -- Norman P Aquino, Norman Aquino, Bloomberg

Migrant crisis: In divided Libya, few resources to stem the flow -- Dominique Soguel, CSM

Crimea Has Awakened Russia's Sleeping Demons -- Ivan Sukhov, Moscow Times

Russia building nuclear reactors – and influence – around the globe -- Hannah Thoburn, Reuters

Donetsk Separatist Leader: 'We Are Not Citizens of Ukraine' -- Christian Neef, Spiegel Online

Varoufakis Is no FDR, and Greece Still Looks Doomed -- Kaj Leers, The Compass

A Photojournalist Recalls the Unvarnished Truth of Vietnam -- Tim Page, Newsweek

In weary Baltimore, welcome mats begin to replace riot gear -- Peter Grief, CSM

Scenes from Baltimore, the day – and night – after (Photos) -- Alan Chin, Reuters