Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 29, 2016

A lookout watches on the bridge of the U.S.S. John C. Stennis aircraft carrier in the South China Sea on April 25, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME

Hannah Beech, Time: The Dispute About the South China Sea Is Also a Dispute About History and America’s Role

After patrolling Asia-Pacific waters for 160 years, the U.S. feels a historic interest in the region's security. Beijing couldn't see things more differently

The U.S.S. John C. Stennis, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, plowed through the azure waters of the South China Sea in late April, as implacable as one of the world’s largest warships ought to be. Escorting the supercarrier, which was carrying more than 3,000 military personnel on a route some 125 nautical miles east of Malaysia, were a trio of guided-missile destroyers and an Aegis cruiser. Overhead, F-18 strike fighters, Seahawk helicopters and Hawkeye early-warning radar aircraft swooped through the sky. “We’re committed to security at sea,” said Rear Admiral Marcus Hitchcock, who commands the Stennis Strike Group. “We are very invested in the economic development and building of commerce in the region.”

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 29, 2016

Water Wars: Looming Arbitration Decision Tests Regional Partnerships -- Chris Mirasola, Lawfare

What Ceasefire? Assad and Russia Are Gearing Up to Seize Syria's Second-Largest City -- VICE News

Aleppo action clarifies Russian ambitions in Syria -- David Gardner, Financial Times

Why warring factors target hospitals -- Helen Coster, Reuters

Photo Essay: The Battle for Palmyra -- Tom Wescott, Carnegie Endowment

Why Obama's 'cold peace' with Iran will turn hot -- Andrew L. Peek, The Hill

Here’s What You Need To Know About Growing Extremist Violence In Bangladesh -- Nikhil Kumar, Time

Ask a North Korean: ​does anyone talk about sex? -- Ji-Min Kang for NK News/The Guardian

Libya: A Long, Hard Slog Against ISIS in Sirte? -- Newsweek/Reuters

Will Russia Go into Libya Next? -- Atlantic Sentinel/Geopolitics Made Super

To burn or sell ivory: Which can put an end to elephant poaching? -- Louise Osborne, DW

50,000 People Are Dead. So Why Won’t Obama Push for an Arms Embargo in South Sudan? -- Siobhan O'Grady, Passport/Foreign Policy

Obama’s legacy: Politics of anger, fights, division -- Anita Kumar, McClatchy News

Venezuela's Political Crisis Unfolds -- Allison Fedirka, Geopolitical Futures

How bad is it on Wall Street? Like no more third home in Hawaii bad -- Turney Duff, CNBC

Trump, Le Pen and the enduring appeal of nationalism -- Mark Mazower, Financial Times