Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- December 7, 2015

Jonathan Bernstein, Bloomberg: Obama Had to Give That Futile Speech

My instant reaction to Barack Obama's Sunday-night speech on the San Bernardino attack, Islamic State and terrorism:

BHO speech: Fulfilled norm that presidents give big speeches; will not violate reality that speeches don't change policy or public opinion.

— Jonathan Bernstein (@jbview) December 7, 2015

In other words, I focused on the institutional aspects of presidential speeches. (For analysis of Obama's substance and style, see Slate’s Fred Kaplan, the Atlantic’s James Fallows and Vox’s Matt Yglesias.)

Most voters hear presidential addresses through partisan ears: Democrats will tend to agree with Obama, whatever he says, and Republicans will tend to disagree. Or they will only hear the parts they want to hear. Democrats will ignore statements they don't fully support, and Republicans won't hear a section they might partially agree with. Overall, presidential speech-making doesn't change government policy by swaying public opinion.

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- December 7, 2015

Obama's Islamic State address marks shift in war on terror -- Mark Sappenfield, CSM

How Obama Thinks About Terrorism -- Peter Beinhart, The Atlantic

Barack Obama’s Achilles heel on terrorism -- Edward Luce, Financial Times

Obama No Longer Seems Sure Assad Must Go -- Josh Rogin, Bloomberg

Obama Is Losing the War on ISIS -- Max Boot, Commentary

Sinjar aftermath highlights Islamic State resilience in Iraq -- Stephen Kalin, Reuters

The mysterious Islamic movement quietly sweeping the Middle East -- Taylor Luck, CSM

The next battleground in the U.S.-China power struggle -- Peter Marino, Reuters

Russia and Ukraine Grow More Distant -- Stratfor

Camped in Calais, Migrants Defy French Resettlement Plan -- Noemie Bisserbe, WSJ

The reason for the far right’s success in France? It’s the economy, stupid. -- Rick Noack, Washington Post

The end of the post-World War Two order -- John Lloyd, Reuters

No, We’re Not Facing World War III -- Edward Lucas, Daily Beast

Venezuela’s Opposition Wins Big, But Maduro’s Still There -- Jeremy Kryt, Daily Beast

OPEC's Divisions Keep Oil Low and Volatile -- Mohamed A. El-Erian, Bloomberg