Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- December 16, 2016

Simon Tisdall, The Guardian: What next for Syria, its allies and foes after fall of Aleppo?

Assad’s regime remains weak, his backers are already falling out and western influence in the Middle East is at a low ebb

While US and European politicians wring their hands and indulge in recriminations over the fall of Aleppo, Russia, Iran and Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime are celebrating a “historic” victory they believe has turned the tide in the six-year-old war.

“Is there nothing you will not lie about? Do you have no shame?” demanded Samantha Power, US ambassador to the UN, accusing the three allies of barbarism and continuing atrocities as rebel territory fell to pro-Assad forces.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- December 16, 2016

Syria's Opposition Wants Trump to 'Drive a Wedge' Between Iran and Russia -- Eli Lake, Bloomberg

Why we lost Aleppo -- Abdul Jabbar al Aqidi, CNN

The fall of Aleppo isn't humanity's disgrace -- Neil Macdonald, CBC

How will Mosul and Aleppo survive today’s wars? Their shared ancient history offers some clues -- Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post

The road to Mosul -- Maya Gebeily, AFP

Obama has degraded ISIS. Can Trump finish the job? -- Nicole Gaouette, CNN

Panel: U.S. Will Need Clear Policy, Continued Coalition Participation In Afghanistan -- John Grady, USNI News

China and India Aren't Afraid to Use Money as a Weapon -- Rishika Chauhan, National Interest

Passing a Chinese Maritime 'Trump Test' -- Andrew S. Erickson, National Interest

Liaoning Live Fire Exercise Shows Off China's Ambitions -- Stratfor

Is the U.S. Losing East Asia to China? -- Bob Savic, The Diplomat

Why is Venezuela taking 100-bolivar notes out of circulation? -- David Iaconangelo, CSM

Russia's Plan to Divide and Conquer the West -- Stratfor

Pressure rises on Obama to retaliate against Russia for hacks -- Sara Sorcher, CSM

Trump, Russia, and the CIA: Allies and Adversaries Confused -- Will Edwards and kaitlin Lavinder, Cipher Brief

Fighting With America: It's What Good Friends Do -- Michael J. Green, The Interpreter

The Return of Hard Power -- John F. Hillen, War on the Rocks