Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 17, 2018

Al-Monitor: Iran split over talks with Europe to save nuclear deal

In brief remarks about the fate of the nuclear deal, Ali Akbar Velayati, who is serving as foreign policy adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has expressed his doubt about the potential for Iran and Europe to reach an agreement over the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“It is unlikely that negotiations with the Europeans will work out. I hope we reach a result, but how long should we wait to see America applying sanctions against us or lifting the sanctions? We should be self-sufficient,” stated Velayati, who is also head of Islamic Azad University’s board of founders, in a meeting at the university.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 17, 2018

Iran Deal Opponents Keep Making These Four Bad Arguments -- Nicholas Grossman, Arc Digital

After upset Iraqi vote, US prepares to embrace a former foe -- Josh Lederman, AP

Mideast conflicts connected by vying powerbrokers -- AP

'Syria is a trap for Russia,' says Putin rival Grigory Yavlinsky -- Miodrag Soric, DW

There is a hidden inclination to divide Yemen: Ahmad al-Sayyad -- Al Jazeera

North Korea does not want to be like East Germany -- Michael Knigge, DW

US has a daunting to-do list to get ready for NKorea summit -- AP

Japan-China Relationship Is on the Mend -- Masahiro Kohara, Japan Times

Ultra-nationalist Buddhist rhetoric runs rife in Sri Lanka -- Nursheila Muez and Jessica Yeo Jia Lin, East Asia Forum

Europe has few good options for dealing with Donald Trump -- The Economist

Europe’s Total Failure to Resist Trump -- Jeet Heer, New Republic

Six stumbling blocks in German-Russian relations -- Fabian von der Mark, DW

How Nicaragua's Protests Could Spread Elsewhere in Central America -- Stratfor

Regime Change for Dummies -- Stephen M. Walt, Foreign Policy

Five Questions: Zoë Heller on the Harry-Meghan royal wedding -- Katherine Zoepf, Reuters