Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 27, 2017

Wesley Rahn, DW: Is a second Korean War imminent?

A military build-up, bellicose rhetoric and the risk of nuclear war are ratcheting up tensions in Northeast Asia. The US is tied in a strategic knot and N. Korea is not backing down as diplomacy and deterrence collide.

There are storm clouds gathering over the Korean peninsula. Whether it is the belligerent statements from the regime in Pyongyang, windy bravado from the Trump administration or regular missile tests and naval drills, there is concern around the world that a tipping point is about to be reached.

US Vice President Mike Pence delivered a speech last week aboard the carrier USS Ronald Reagan docked in Japan and said "the sword stands ready" when warning North Korea not to test US military resolve, adding that the US would respond with "overwhelming force" if attacked.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 27, 2017

Are North Korea's neighbours worried about an attack? -- BBC

North Korea threat: Experts paint dark picture of what fallout of pre-emptive strike may look like -- Ryan Gaydos, FOX News

When We Almost Went to War With North Korea -- Gordon G. Chang, Daily Beast

Is China the Solution to the North Korean Problem? -- Stratfor

China Seeks to Surpass U.S. Influence in Asia -- Daniel Blumenthal, RCW

What America and China must do to head off a clash -- The Economist

The Reality of the Sino-Russian Oil Alliance -- Nicholas Trickett, The Diplomat

"Political Will" Needed to End War in Syria -- Rachel Ansley, RCD/Atlantic Council

Iran's conservative presidential candidates pledge more cash handouts, jobs -- Rohollah Faghihi, Al-Monitor

In Yemen conflict, a window into deepening U.S.-Gulf ties -- Phil Stewart and Yara Bayoumy, Reuters

A nightmare scenario for Turkey -- Murat Yetkin, Hurriyet Daily News

Interview with Alexei Navalny: 'The Kremlin Blocks Every Alternative to Putin' -- Spiegel Online

Social Unrest Is France's Biggest Risk -- Jean-Michel Paul, Bloomberg

Ecuador and the Case of the Liberal Losers -- Alvaro Vargas Llosa, National Interest