Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- June 21, 2017

Mohamad Bazzi, The Guardian: The Growing U.S.-Iran Proxy Fight in Syria

The scramble for Islamic State territory is raising the risks of escalation.

On Sunday evening, a U.S. warplane shot down a Syrian jet after it bombed American-backed rebels in northern Syria. This marked the first time the United States has downed a Syrian warplane since the start of the country’s civil war in 2011. On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced that the United States had shot down an Iranian-made drone in the country’s southeast, where American personnel have been training anti-Islamic State fighters.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- June 21, 2017

‘ISIL has two options – to surrender or to die’ -- Florian Neuhof, The National

The Guardian view on the fall of Raqqa: the deadliest phase -- The Guardian editorial

Assad Still Must Go -- Michael Totten, The Tower

Outcome of battle in Mosul will shape Iraq’s future -- Gulf News editorial

The significance of the battle for Mosul’s Great Mosque: This is where modern Iraqi history meets the medieval -- Thomas Ricks, Foreign Policy

Five takeaways from Iran’s missile strike in Syria -- M.K. Bhadrakur, Asia Times

In Saudi Shakeup, Economics Tops Counterterrorism -- Meghan L. O’Sullivan, Bloomberg

Three things to watch as Saudi names new heir to throne -- AFP

North Korea’s Real Strategy -- Christopher Hill, Project Syndicate

Fear and loathing on the Afghan Silk Road -- Pepe Escobar, Asia Times

The Folly of Sending More U.S. Troops to Afghanistan -- Rob Givens, National Interest

America Must Confront Pakistan's Support of Afghan-Based Terrorism -- Javid Ahmad, National Interest

When will Suu Kyi challenge the military? -- Bertil Lintner, Asia Times

Why are Sahel countries deploying an anti-jihad force? -- Ahamadou CISSE, AFP

Vladimir Putin’s man in the Balkans -- Howard Amos, Politico