Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 14, 2018

This file photo taken on October 20, 2017, shows a general view of heavily damaged buildings in Raqqa, Syria.(Photo: AFP)

Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY: Syria's civil war has been raging for 7 years and no end in sight

The fighting in Syria enters its eighth year on Thursday. A conflict that began as a peaceful uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime escalated into a full-scale civil war that is now one of this century's deadliest.

Along the way, the Syrian conflict allowed Islamic State extremists to flourish, created the world's worst refugee crisis since World War II and exacerbated an international power struggle.

After seven years of relentless bloodshed, here is a recap of the crisis:

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 14, 2018

Iraq: Weighing the costs of war -- William D. Hartung, The Hill

Gulf Arabs relish Tillerson firing; Iran weighs nuclear deal -- Jon Gambrell, AP

Turkish-Arab ties marked by fear and loathing -- Semih Idiz, Al-Monitor

Understanding China's Massive Government Overhaul -- Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat

The myth of a neo-imperial China -- Pepe Escobar, Asia Times

Beware A Korean Reykjavik -- Michael Auslin, National Interest

What Makes Kim Jong Un Tick? -- Stephen Benedict Dyson, National Interest

South Korea’s presidential curse: another former leader in the dock -- Asia Times

Shinzo Abe: N Korea and a school scandal heap pressure on Japan's PM -- Dr John Nilsson-Wright, BBC

By the numbers: Zuma and ANC’s mutual dance to the bottom -- Robert Mattes, Mail & Guardian

How to derail Russia's energy war -- Agnia Grigas, Reuters

The Rising Tide of Europe’s Anti-Establishment Rebellion -- Andrew A. Michta, The American Interest

Weakened Merkel begins fourth term beset by challenges -- Paul Carrel & Madeline Chambers, Reuters

Will Pompeo Turn the State Department Around? -- Danielle Pletka, National Interest

Mike Pompeo may not be able to fix the State Department that Rex Tillerson leaves behind -- Christopher Woody, Business Insider

Do You Actually Know Why Stephen Hawking Was Famous? -- Tanya Basu, Daily Beast