Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 9, 2020

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman line up for a family photo, during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, on November 30, 2018. Photo: Saul Loeb / AFP

Alison Tahmizian Meuse, Asia Times: Oil to hit $20 amid Saudi-Russian price war

OPEC+ unravels, prompting Saudi Arabia to flood the market

The breakdown of the OPEC+ alliance and the ensuing Saudi flooding of the markets could drive oil down to $20 a barrel this summer.

“$20 oil in 2020 is coming. Huge geopolitical implications,” tweeted Ali Khedery, who previously served as ExxonMobil’s senior advisor for the Middle East.

While this would mean a “timely stimulus” for global consumers, it will be “catastrophic for failed / failing petro-kleptocracies Iraq, Iran, etc,” he said.

The crash “may prove [an] existential 1-2 punch when paired with Covid-19.”

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 9, 2020

Oil crash: Saudi Arabia's risky price war -- AFP

This is a NOT a panic, but adjustment to a mild recession -- David P. Goldman, Asia Times

Why this imperfect deal with the Taliban is still better than no deal -- Michael Kugelman, The Hill

From 'perfect Chinese daughter' to Communist Party critic, why Vicky Xu is exposing China to scrutiny -- Jennifer Feller and Susan Chenery, ABC News Online

It’s time for ‘President Xi to go’ -- Gordon Watts, Asia Times

Coronavirus: The Deadly New U.S.-Iran Standoff -- Matthew Petti, National Interest

Nepal's delicate balancing act between China and India -- Ankita Mukhopadhyay, DW

Mixed emotions as MH17 trial gets underway in the Netherlands -- Samantha Hawley, ABC News Online

Crimea After Six Years -- Diana Kadi, National Interest

Glyphosate and cocaine: Colombia's next drug war? -- Nicolas Martin, DW