Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 8, 2016

Floating Formation

Ships taking part in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2016 maneuver into formation in the Java Sea, Aug. 6, 2016. CARAT is an annual exercise involving the U.S. military and the armed forces of nine partner nations. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Will Gaskill

David Feith, Wall Street Journal: A Pacific Admiral Takes China’s Measure

The U.S. can show support for the U.N.’s ruling on the South China Sea by ‘flying, sailing and operating everywhere international law allows.’

Beijing has a consistent explanation for the rising tensions in the South China Sea: It’s America’s fault. As Chinese leaders tell it, their country is the victim of a U.S. bullying campaign designed to keep China down by uniting Asian states against it. For proof they cite episodes such as the recent United Nations arbitration case filed by the Philippines and cheered by the U.S., Japan, Vietnam and others, which ended last month in a rebuke of China’s aggressive maritime claims and practices, including building artificial islands in international waters and harassing foreign ships.

An arch villain in China’s narrative is Adm. Harry Harris, the commander of U.S. military forces in the Pacific, who last year had the gumption to warn that Beijing is building a “Great Wall of Sand” in the South China Sea. The four-star former reconnaissance flight officer also happens to be the son of an American father and a Japanese mother, a fact oft-noted by Chinese state media as proof of malign intent. “To understand the American’s sudden upgraded offensive in the South China Sea,” Xinhua has said, “it is simply impossible to ignore Admiral Harris’s blood, background, political inclination and values.”

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 8, 2016

Why America Gets Blamed in Syria -- Frederic Hof, RCW

The Observer view on events in Syria -- Guardian editorial

Could Turkey turn its back to the West? -- Atilla Yesilada, Al Jazeera

Xi Jinping: A Four-Year Report Card -- Kerry Brown, The Interpreter

Why did China fly 'combat patrols' over the Spratly Islands? -- Max Lewontin, CSM

Why China Can't Solve Its Debt Problem -- Christopher Balding, Bloomberg

Afghanistan Is Finally Standing Up to Pakistan -- Adam Gallagher, National Interest

What happens to North Korea missiles fired into the sea? -- AP

Oil Won't Save Libya -- George Ward, National Interest

The Status Quo Will Not Work in South Sudan -- Kaitlin Lavinder, The Cipher Brief

Blame game and confusion after ANC election losses and #RememberKhwezi protest -- Ranjeni Munusamy, Daily Maverick

South Africa Votes for Change -- Bloomberg editorial

From Rio's hillside slums, Olympic Games viewed as missed opportunity -- Jonathan Gilbert, CSM

My 10 principles to reform the United Nations, before it's too late -- Kevin Rudd, The Guardian

China is flooding Silicon Valley with cash. Here’s what can go wrong. -- Elizabeth Dwoskin, Washington Post