Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- June 26, 2018

Leftist front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) gestures while addressing supporters during a campaign rally in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico April 5, 2018. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril/File Photo

Dave Graham, Reuters: Scourge of Mexico establishment poised to capture presidency

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - For 13 years, Mexico’s perennial political outsider Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has covered tens of thousands of miles crisscrossing the nation in dogged pursuit of its highest office.

Now the 64-year-old leftist is on the brink of winning Sunday’s presidential election, having spent his political career railing against Mexico’s establishment.

Years of mounting drug violence, sluggish economic growth and corruption have gradually eroded the credibility of the political class, leaving Lopez Obrador as the last man standing.

Pledging to clean up government, reduce inequality and subdue gang violence, he promises to “transform” a country he says has been debased by the few at the expense of the many.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- June 26, 2018

In Iran, Revolution is Starting in the Bazaar -- Michael Rubin, Washington Examiner

Jared Kushner’s Middle East Fantasy -- Philip Gordon and Prem Kumar, The Atlantic

Turkey’s outreach hints at Ottoman revival -- Jonathan Gorvett, Asia Times

A softer Erdogan? Unlikely, say analysts -- AFP

Turkey’s European dream may be over, is the Sultan ready for Eurasia? -- Pepe Escobar, Asia Times

Will the Syrian Civil War be America's Next Foreign Policy Failure -- Doug Bandow, National /Interest

Battle at Hudaydah: How Saudi Arabia Is Trying to Cut off Houthi Rebels' Maritime Supply Lines -- Sebastien Roblin, National Interest

Former US chief spook does U-turn on denuclearization -- Andrew Salmon. Asia Times

Vietnam Mass Protests Expose Hanoi’s China Dilemma -- Tom Fawthrop, The Diplomat

Beijing softens ‘Made in China 2025’ message in face of looming U.S. trade war -- Michael Martina, Kevin Yao and Yawen Chen, Globe and Mail/Reuters

China snuggles up to EU after getting cold shoulder from US -- Gordon Watts, Asia Times

China Begins to Question Whether It's Ready for a Trade War -- Bloomberg

Friendly fire: The curious case of US sanctions on India -- Jeff Smith and Bharath Gopalswamy, The Hill

The Escalating Air War No One Is Watching -- David Axe, Daily Beast

Analysis: Trump sees vindication for immigration views -- Jonathan Lemire and Jill Colvin, AP