Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 24, 2016

Michael Semple, Special to CNN: Top priorities for successor to Afghan Taliban's killed leader Mansour

(CNN)In the year that he openly led the Afghan Taliban Movement, Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, who was killed by a U.S drone strike Saturday, proved to be a consummate political actor.

After seizing power in a rapidly summoned conclave, he proceeded to consolidate his hold over the movement, deflect attempts by the pro-Taliban clergy (ulema) to question his authority, co-opt or eliminate dissidents, renew the Taliban's war strategy and defy all efforts to maneuver the Taliban into peace negotiations.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 24, 2016

First Take: Taliban leader's death may not reduce war -- Jim Michaels, USA Today

Death of Mullah Mansoor highlights Taliban's links with Iran -- Jon Boone and Saeed Kamali Dehghan, The Guardian

Death of a warlord will change nothing in Afghanistan -- Tom Hussain, Al Jazeera

ISIL's evolving strategy should raise security concerns -- Rami G Khouri, Al Jazeera

The Secret History of the Iran-Deal 'Echo Chamber' -- Eli Lake, Bloomberg

The Vietnam War Is Still Killing People -- George Black, The New Yorker

Is Selling to Vietnam Selling Out? -- Hayley Hoefer, US News and World Report

Vietnam: From enemy to partner -- Richard Fontaine, CNN

Will U.S. lifting Vietnam arms ban raise South China Sea tensions? -- Gareth Corsi, for CNN

Can U.S.-Vietnam Relations Move Above and Beyond the China Challenge? -- Brain Andrews, National Interest

China's Worst Nightmare: Is a U.S.- India Military Alliance Brewing? -- Kevin Knodell, National Interest

Despite Obama’s Moves, Asian Nations Skeptical of U.S. Commitment -- David Sanger, NYT

How significant is India's $500 million deal with Iran? -- Jason Thomson, CSM

Hiroshima trip by Obama stirs differing views across Pacific -- Mari Yamaguchi & Julie Watson, AP

For Europe, the party's over. It’s not clear what comes next. -- Lucian Kim, Reuters

The Jihadis Working at Paris Airports? -- Erin Zaleski and Christopher Dickey, Daily Beast

Oil at a turning point – no, really -- Laurent Belsie, CSM