Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 3, 2016

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry walks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (C) to attend a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting at King Salman Regional Air Base in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 23, 2016. REUTERS/Jacquelyn Martin

Josh Cohen, Reuters: Is it time for the United States to dump Saudi Arabia?

After the recent execution of Shi’ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia, the Middle East once again risks devolving into sectarian chaos. A mob torched the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, prompting Saudi Arabia and a number of its Sunni allies to break diplomatic relations with Iran.

In response to the unfolding chaos, the Wall Street Journal responded by asking “Who Lost the Saudis?” — fretting that the lack of support from the United States could lead to the overthrow of the Saudi regime. This is a provocative query, reminiscent of the “Who Lost China?” attacks against President Harry Truman after the Communist takeover of mainland China in 1949. But it’s the wrong question. Rather than wondering if Washington’s support for Riyadh is sufficient, American policymakers should instead ask themselves the following question: Is it time for the United States to dump Saudi Arabia?

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 3, 2016

Tumbling Oil Prices Are Already Wiping Out Saudi Arabia’s Budget Efforts -- Mike Bird, WSJ

Russia and Saudis ready to 'cooperate' on oil? -- Insider Story/Al Jazeera

Could Russia and OPEC really strike a deal on oil? -- Jenny Cosgrave, CNBC

Is Libya the next Syria? -- Howard LaFranchi, CSM

John Kerry keeps calling the Islamic State ‘apostates.’ Maybe he should stop. -- Adam Taylor, Washington Post

The U.S. Should Halt Its Support for the War on Yemen -- Daniel Lariosn, American Conservative

A boy's life in Afghanistan: Anti-Taliban fighter at 9, dead at 12 -- Ali M. Latifi & Abdul Matin Amiri, L.A. Times

Does Nigeria Have What It Takes to Defeat Boko Haram? -- Aryn Baker, Time

Southern Africa: Drought first, famine next -- Robert Rotberg, Special to The Globe and Mail

Time for Kyiv to Own Anti-Corruption Agenda -- Yulia Andrusiv, Chatham House

The War in Ukraine Is Back—So Why Won’t Anyone Say So? -- Pierre Vaux, Daily Beast

Ending Latin America's Longest War Won't Be Cheap -- Bloomberg editorial

Canada's Prime Minister Oprah wants to Listen To The People -- Tasha Kheiriddin, National Post

How to See a Famine Before It Starts -- Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic

Why US Treasury Hides Its Saudi Investor -- Stephen Mihm, Bloomberg