Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- July 3, 2018

Abraham R. Wagner, Washington Times: Syria's civil war, the final stage

After seven years of horrible death and refugee displacement the Syrian civil war is entering a final stage with little doubt as to the outcome. Bashar Assad is certain to remain in power and the only open questions are what foreign forces will remain in Syria and what parts of Syrian territory will be lost. As the war winds down, the U.S. as well as Israel and Russia all have key roles to play that need to be based on national interest and reality.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- July 3, 2018

For America, More War in Syria Is All Risk, No Reward -- Bonnie Kristian, Defense One

No One Knows What Kim Jong Un Promised Trump -- Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic

North Korea is looking to China to boost its economy, but what about denuclearisation? -- Lee Jeong-ho, SCMP

China’s ‘political warfare’ aims at South China Sea -- Kerry K Gershaneck, Asia Times

Iran protests: why Rouhani's foes are backing off their hard line -- Scott Peterson, CSM

Why Ayatollah Khamenei will not negotiate with Trump -- Saeid Golkar, Al Jazeera

Egypt coup: Five years since Sisi took power -- Charles Stratford, Al Jazeera

Egypt's Sinai, war on terror, and the 'deal of the century' -- Mohannad Sabry, Al Jazeera

Doubts raised over Merkel compromise on border controls -- Philip Oltermann, The Guardian

How Merkel Put Down the Bavarian Rebellion -- Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg

Angela’s ashes: Merkel’s grand project is crumbling -- Fredrik Erixon, The Spectator

Can Nicaragua’s Military Prevent a Civil War? -- Orlando J. Pérez, Foreign Policy

Colombia’s Problematic Peace Accord: Time to Swallow Some Frogs -- Colette Rausch and Thomas Stevenson, War On The Rocks

López Obrador and the Future of Mexican Democracy: Will He Further Erode the Checks on Executive Power? -- Shannon K. O'Neil, Foreign Arrairs

Thailand cave rescue: where were the boys found and how can they be rescued? -- Seán Clarke, Paul Torpey, Paul Scruton and Chris Watson, The Guardian