Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 31, 2018

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Cipher Brief Analysis: The Global Threat Posed by Al-Qaeda

A United Nations report delivered to the Security Council last month offered a stark reminder that al Qaeda remains a serious threat around the world. The report suggested that the de-centralized terrorist network is stronger than ISIS in countries like Yemen and Somalia.

The report was issued just before al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri released a new video calling on Muslims to unite against what he calls an “international infidel alliance”.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said last week that we “cannot forget the enduring threat posed by al-Qaeda. ISIS may have captured more headlines in recent years, but al-Qaeda leaders are still plotting attacks around the world. This includes a large remaining al-Qaeda presence in Syria, Yemen, and other parts of the world.”

The Cipher Brief tapped its network of experts to better understand the breadth and depth of the al-Qaeda threat, some 17 years after 9/11.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 31, 2018

The U.S. Is Sidelining Itself in the Middle East -- Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic

Facebook has banned Myanmar's top general Min Aung Hlaing, but what's next? -- Kayleigh Long, ABC News Online

US-led UN Command stops South Korean train entering North -- Andrew Salmon, Asia Times

South Korea's Nuclear Conundrum -- Daniel R. DePetris, National Interest

'All Take, No Give' Won’t Work with North Korea -- Leon V. Sigal, 38 North

Can Russia End the War in Afghanistan? -- Samuel Ramani, The Diplomat

Haley Warns Iran Could Become 'the Next North Korea' -- Uri Friedman, Defense One

Is Qatar failing to deliver on its World Cup promises? -- Anchal Vohra, DW

Romania’s Black Sea gas sparks political crisis -- Anca Gurzu, Politico.eu

Europe Wants to Defend Itself? Good Luck With That. -- Hal Brands, Bloomberg

Will Angela Merkel Bail Out Erdogan? -- Cristina Maza, Newsweek

How Macron won Trump’s friendship, failed to influence him -- Sylvie Corbet, AP

Kremlin says Putin, Trump could hold talks three times this year: Izvestiya -- Reuters

Crashing currency chaos spreads across the Global South -- Pepe Escobar, Asia Times