Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 14, 2016

Matthew Karnitschnig, Politico: 5 takeaways from Merkel’s election drubbing

The stinging results of regional polls in three German states test the chancellor’s refugee policy — and her rule

BERLIN — German voters, going to the ballot box for the first time since Angela Merkel’s decision last fall to open the country to refugees, inflicted crushing defeats on the chancellor’s Christian Democrats (CDU) in two western German states.

Sunday’s regional elections in three of Germany’s 16 states were widely seen as a barometer of the public’s views on Merkel’s controversial refugee policy. Her conservatives had been braced for a reality check, but trusted in the polls that showed support for the chancellor remained strong despite the widespread unease in Germany over the number of refugees.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 14, 2016

Germany’s election result is a warning to Merkel – not a far-right triumph -- Mary Dejevsky, The Guardian

Three regional elections have radically changed Germany’s political landscape -- The Economist

Russia and the US now have the power to impose peace in Syria -- Charles Glass, The Guardian

The Alternative to Regime Change in Iran -- Akbar Ganji, National Interest

Why This Recent Piece of ISIS Intelligence Stands Out -- Mark Thompson, Time

For refugees on Turkey's coast, it's still (risky) business as usual -- Scott Peterson, CSM

Ankara Car Bomb Heralds Turkey’s Widening Terror War -- Thomas Seibert, Daily Beast

A Look at How the Syrian Conflict Has Changed the World -- Philip Issa, AP

Iraq’s coming apocalypse: The Mosul Dam is set to collapse, bringing more disaster to the region -- Daniel Pipes, Washington Times

By choosing not to lead, Obama has left the West dangerously exposed -- Charles Moore, The Telegraph

Russia’s Exit From Syria -- Marina Koren The Atlantic

The Real Reason to Worry About China -- Narayana Kocherlakota, Bloomberg

China's consumers are shaking the world -- Jeffrey Towson, Nikkei Asian Review

Obama's Disastrous Plan for Puerto Rico -- Rachel Greszler, Real Clear World

Troubling warnings for the US from the 1930s -- Edward Luce, Financial Times

Detroit's Next Big Crash -- Bloomberg editorial