Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 5, 2017

Ehsan M. Ahrari, Eurasiareview/YaleGlobal: Lose Now Or Later: America’s Uneasy Choices In Afghanistan – Analysis

Diplomacy and cooperation are missing ingredients – and why the Afghan war drags on into its 16th year.

Donald Trump wants to focus on his “America First” slogan, with budgetary priorities that center on job creation and quick wins in foreign wars. But the lingering war in Afghanistan – both the struggles to defeat extremists or organize peace – will detract from other military endeavors.

The trouble with foreign wars is that, while easy to start, they are hard to finish. The United States learned the bitter lesson after invading Iraq in 2003: Operational victory was easy, but strategic victory defied even the world’s most powerful military. And after sweeping the Taliban from Kabul with a dramatic campaign, the mighty United States remains stuck in Afghanistan

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 5, 2017

Can warlord Hekmatyar help stabilize Afghanistan? -- Shamil Shams, DW

Moscow is serious about upping its ground game in Syria -- Neil Hauer, Foreign Policy

If Isis is defeated, prepare for another round of catastrophes -- David Gardner, Financial Times

Trump goes soft on Saudi -- Michael Crowley, Politico

Will Trump save the Middle East peace process? -- AFP

Will ‘Resistance’ Carry the Day in Iran’s Election? -- Dr Sanam Vakil, Chatham House

North Korea threats? After six decades, uncertainty is nothing new for South Koreans -- Michael Holtz, CSM

The Philippines in Play -- George Friedman, Geopolitical Futures

A huge oil producer (libya) is ramping up production — but there's reason to remain cautious -- Elena Holodny, Business Insider

The EU Must Change After the French Election -- Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg

The War in Ukraine: Russia's Laboratory? -- Kevin Sullivan, RCW

Kosovo needs a new beginning -- Kadri Veseli, Euractiv

In Venezuela, the military will determine how long Maduro's regime can last -- Benigno Alarcón, The Conversation

Venezuela’s Dystopian Nightmare -- Raoul Stolk, Daily Beast

What Trump should do about Venezuela’s drift toward a full-blown dictatorship -- Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald