Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- July 22, 2015

Zack Beauchamp, VOX: Why does Iran even have a nuclear program in the first place?

Iran has had a nuclear program since the country restarted it in the 1980s, has been under economic sanctions for it since the 1990s, faced the threat of war over it in the 2000s, and now has come through 20 grueling months of negotiations just to keep part of the program in place.

On its face, Iran's nuclear program makes very little strategic sense. Though Iran insists the program is only for peaceful purposes, it's far beyond what's necessary to generate nuclear power. And it's never made sense as an energy investment; other types of energy are more efficient for Iran, and its grid desperately needs upgrading.

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- July 22, 2015

What Europe Should Learn From Asia's Crisis -- William Pesek, Bloomberg

Iran deal: A possible game-changer for Afghanistan -- Davood Moradian, Al Jazeera

Afghanistan’s Peace Process: A Long Road Ahead -- Emily Winterbotham, The Diplomat

Washington and Kabul Want a Joint Strategy Against ISIS in Afghanistan -- Ankit Panda, The Diplomat

Bill Richardson: 5 Steps for Engaging With North Korea -- Gov. Bill Richardson, Time

Why Does Putin Support the Iran Deal? -- Joshua Keating, Slate

Russia’s Coming Regime Change -- Andrei V. Kozyrev, NYT

After 25 years together, study shows two Germanys still wide apart -- Madeline Chambers, Reuters

Allow Greece a Gentle Exit -- David Ignatius, Washington Post

Why the Next Few Months Will be Critical for the Latest Colombia FARC Truce -- Samuel Oakford, VICE

If Obama Can't Close Guantanamo -- Noah Feldman, Bloomberg

The big stumbling block in US-Cuba relations – and how it might be fixed -- Howard Lafranchi, CSM

Why China Wants a Jeb-vs.-Hillary Race -- Aaron Mak, Politico