Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- October 21, 2015

Samuel Ramani, Washington Post: When he bombs Syria, Putin is sending these four messages to the world

On Sept. 30, the Russian Parliament unanimously approved the use of military force in Syria to combat the Islamic State. Hours later, a senior U.S. military official revealed that Russia had carried out its first airstrikes in Syria.

But here’s what’s really controversial: Russia did not target areas held by the Islamic State. Rather, it is attacking the Free Syrian forces fighting against Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad. Why?

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- October 21, 2015

Iran, Russia Undeterred by Slow-Go in Syria -- Jeff Seldin, VOA

Syria’s Assad Visits Russia While Turkey Points to the Exit -- Krishnadev Calamurthe, Defense One/Atlantic

5 options for the US in Syria -- Brian Michael Jenkins, The Hill

Putin's Birthday Present to the U.S. -- Dr. Mark B. Schneider, Real Clear Defense

West Has Lost the Right to Lecture Putin -- Mark Galeotti, Moscow Times

For Saudis, Any Countermove Against Putin in Syria Carries Risks -- Glen Carey, Bloomberg

Aftermath: Ankara Bombings Leave Turkey More Polarized Than Ever -- Maximilian Popp and Christoph Reuter, Spiegel Online

China Tests Japan's Resolve Over East China Sea -- Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat

Britain’s Courting of China Raises Concerns Among Its Allies -- Eliza Gray, Time

The Case for Brexit -- Alan Sked, National Interest

Afghanistan: Fragile But Moving Forward -- James L. Creighton, The Diplomat

Are We Losing Afghanistan Again? -- Thomas Joscelyn and Bill Roggio, NYT

The Next Refugee Crisis: Afghanistan -- Michael Kugelman, NYT

The World Can’t Afford All Its Refugees -- Kate Brannen & Nina Strochlic, Daily Beast

Joe Biden Is Out, But Not Down -- Jonathan Bernstein, Bloomberg