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

Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra members pose on a tank in northern Idlib province(Reuters)

Colin Clarke, Cipher Brief: Al-Nusra: Stronger than Ever

Three months after its “split” from al Qaeda, which in reality is simply a feint, Jabhat Fateh al Sham (JFS), formerly known as Jabhat al Nusra, may pose a more significant long-term threat to the West than the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

While the West targets ISIS, JFS is quietly laying the groundwork for al Qaeda’s resurgence by “hunkering down,” rebuilding, and repositioning itself along several fronts. This should come as no surprise – al Qaeda and its affiliates are nothing if not resilient.

With approximately 10,000 fighters, JFS is now both the largest al Qaeda franchise and by many accounts, the most lethal, eclipsing the capabilities of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). As a failed state on the periphery of Europe, Syria is the ideal staging ground for al Qaeda to rejuvenate its global campaign of terrorism through JFS.

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

Will America and Russia clash over Raqqa? -- Dr. Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya

You’re not hearing the whole story about Aleppo -- Peter Oborne, The Spectator

Is it wrong to call Mosul battle a 'liberation'? -- Raed Jarrar, Al jazeera

Iraqi PM Abadi says 'we are ready' if Turkey wants war -- Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor

Taliban Commanders Key to Peace With Afghanistan -- The Diplomat

How to Sell Arms to Taiwan -- Dan Altman, The Diplomat

Can Japan Play the Mediator Amid Strained U.S.-Philippine Ties? -- J. Berkshire Miller, WPR

Egypt tiptoes toward a 'breaking point' -- Taylor Luck, CSM

Jacob Zuma, South Africa's $50 billion burden? -- Ed Cropley, Reuters

A British court just prevented the prime minister from Brexiting. Here’s what that means. -- Zack Beauchamp, VOX

High Court Doesn’t Care If the People Want Brexit -- Noah Feldman, Bloomberg

Mexico: A Glass Half Full -- Andrew Selee & Pablo Paras, RCW

Why China and the U.S. Need Each Other in Space -- Matthew Bey, Stratfor

A U.S. Ally Prepares for Hell -- Jonathan S. Tobin, Commentary

The FBI Wants to Make America Great Again -- Eli Lake, Bloomberg