Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 16, 2019

Reuters

Mohammed Ayoob, National Interest: Is a Geostrategic Shift in the Middle East in the Offing?

Washington is doing itself a great disservice by alienating Ankara and Tehran simultaneously.

On the eve of the short-lived Arab Spring in January 2011 I wrote a story which argued that the “center of gravity in the Middle East has shifted dramatically in the past few decades from the Arab heartland comprising Egypt and the Fertile Crescent to what was once considered the non-Arab periphery—Turkey and Iran.” That statement has continued to hold true despite the ups and downs in the regional politics of the Middle East. The moribund nature of Arab politics and the perpetuation of autocratic and kleptocratic rule have contributed in large measure to the diminution in the regional role of major Arab states such as Egypt. The civil wars following the Arab Spring have torn several Arab countries apart and even created failed states such as Syria, Libya, and Yemen. These wars have further marginalized the Arab world. Even Saudi Arabia, despite its fabulous oil wealth, is unable to exert adequate influence in the region because of its manifest dependence for security on the United States and the arrogant and eccentric nature of its regime.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 16, 2019

So, You Want to Invade Iran? Not recommended — Iraq was bad enough and Iran would be worse. -- Brandon J. Weichert, Spectator

Iran, please give Trump a call -- Jamsheed Choksy and Carol Choksy, CNN

Putin’s ploy to turn Turkey steams ahead -- Alexander Kruglov, Asia Times

Peace Process Problem: There Is No Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine -- Paul R. Pillar, National Interest

Trump didn't start this trade war, China did -- Marc Thiessen, FOX News

Another promise kept: Trump's toughness on China gives Potomac elites the vapors -- Charles Hurt, The Washington Times

On Rumors of a Chinese US Treasury Dump -- Fisher Investments Editorial Staff, Fisher Investments

Midterm massacre hands Duterte all the power -- Richard Javad Heydarian, Asia Times

The Philippines' Duterte: In pursuit of an imperial presidency -- Richard Javad Heydarian, Al Jazeera

Is democracy dead in Turkey? The re-run of Istanbul’s mayoral race will tell -- Kemal Kirişci, Brookings

Two Decades After the Fall of Milosevic, Dictatorship Is Returning to Serbia -- Aleks Eror, WPR

Eurovision 2019: Why these entrants in the song contest are generating controversy -- Yasmin Jeffery, ABC News Online

Jamaica's Extraordinary Economic Turnaround -- Axel Van Trotsenburg, Miami Herald

A Full Presidential Pardon -- Conrad Black, American Greatness