Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- November 16, 2017

Peter Apps, Reuters: Lessons from Zimbabwe’s coup

The speed of events in Zimbabwe this week has taken even experienced Africa watchers by surprise. An effective army takeover; President Robert Mugabe placed under house arrest and his wife – and would-be successor – reportedly fleeing the country.

It’s still unclear who will end up running Zimbabwe. But whoever prevails will need the backing of both the military as well as China, Zimbabwe’s primary foreign investor.

By Thursday, reports indicated the 93-year-old Mugabe was still trying to persuade top generals that he should be allowed to serve out his presidential term until elections next year. The generals were believed to favor handing power to Mugabe’s former deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Here are some key lessons from what we now know:

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- November 16, 2017

Even if Mugabe has gone, Zimbabweans won’t be dancing in the streets -- Wilf Mbanga, The Guardian

Robert Mugabe's Inner Circle Implodes -- Todd Moss and Jeffrey Smith, The Atlantic

Russia, Turkey, Iran meeting to discuss Syria strategy -- M.K. Bhadrakumar, Asia Times

Qatar Is at the Center of Today's Arab Tangle -- David B. Rivkin & JrNawaf Obaid, National Interest

Is the Saudi Purge Really About Corruption? -- Andrew Leber and Christopher Carothers, Foreign Affairs

How deep ties with Pakistan’s military helped Saudi purge -- Kunwar Khuldune Shahid, Asia Times

Saudi Arabia Wants to Fight Iran to the Last American -- Trita Parsi, National Interest

Russia's next Power Play May Occur in Yemen -- Samuel Ramani, National Interest

Through night vision goggles, Afghan conflict becoming a proxy war -- M.K. Bhadrakumar, Asia Times

Time Running Out in Korea -- Daniel L. Davis, Real Clear Defense

Would North Korea Attack the Olympics in 2018? (By the Way, They Will Be in South Korea) -- Christopher A. Preble & Harry J. Kazianis, National Interest

Recognize the Real Possibility of Conflict in North Korea -- François Godement, RCW

Nobody is going to bail out Venezuela -- Henkel Garcia U, The Conversation

The New Era of the Proliferated Proxy War -- Andrew Mumford, The Bridge

The Cost of Protection vs. The Cost of Regret -- Peter DiMaggio & Nick Misselbrook, RCD