Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- September 18, 2015

Andrew Osborn, Reuters: Syrian army reversals spook Kremlin into hasty military build-up

MOSCOW (Reuters) - For Vladimir Putin, Russia's military build-up in Syria is a potential diplomatic trump card and a handy way of diverting attention from Ukraine's frozen conflict. But it was a panicky realization that the Syrian government was being turned over on the battlefield that tipped the Kremlin's hand.

When it saw several months ago that Syrian government forces were retreating on several fronts at a rate that threatened President Bashar al-Assad, its closest Middle East ally, the Kremlin quietly decided to despatch more men, weaponry and armor, diplomats and analysts told Reuters.

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- September 18, 2015

In Syria, What Russians Don’t Know Will Hurt Them -- Anna Nemtsova, Daily Beast

An Opening on Syria -- Marina Koren, The Atlantic

Russia and Iran both propping up Assad. A balancing act? -- Nicholas Blanford, CSM

Russia May Be Eyeing Payoff for Military Buildup in Syria -- Jeff Seldin, VOA

Why Putin Is Backing Assad in Syria -- Nikolay Kozhanov, Newsweek

Our High-Priced Mercenaries in Syria -- Robin Wright, New Yorker

Syria a Dying Nation -- Manish Rai, Khaama Press

Whether the Islamic State Can Turn On The Lights Is Neither Here Nor There -- Steven Cook, Newsweek

The Iran Deal and the Next Iraq War -- Daniel Greenfield, Sultan Knish

Japan's 'profound' new American military ties are all about China: Q&A -- Robert Marquand, CSM

Africa Starts to Emerge -- Noah Smith, Bloomberg

Why are coups common in Africa? -- Inside Story/Al Jazeera

Burkina coup leader: A key partner for US military in W Africa -- Ariel Zirulnick, CSM

Europe's Best Hope for Greece? -- Bloomberg editorial

Obama’s Intel Scandal -- Stephen Hayes, Weekly Standard