Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 28, 2021

Harold Maass, The Week: India's devastating new COVID wave

Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in India, with new cases smashing records daily and overwhelming hospitals. What's fueling the surge, and should the rest of the world be worried?

How bad is India's new crisis?

India on April 23 reported more than 332,000 infections over the previous 24 hours, the most ever confirmed by any country in one day. The day before, the country confirmed more than 310,000 new cases, breaking the previous single-day high of 300,669 set in the United States on Jan. 8, at the peak of America's deadly winter surge. This wave hit fast. India was averaging about 11,000 new cases and losing fewer than 100 lives per day to the virus in February. In contrast, India is now averaging roughly 2,000 coronavirus deaths per day, although fatalities probably have been under-counted due to a lack of testing on those dying outside hospitals. Deaths trail infections, so the country is bracing for a rising toll.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 28, 2021

India's COVID 'inferno': Why is the second surge happening now? -- Beatrice Christofaro, DW

Fourth wave hits Japan at worst possible moment -- William Pesek, Asia Times

How to Think About Counterinsurgency After Afghanistan -- Steven Metz, Defense One

Washington Is Avoiding the Tough Questions

on Taiwan and China -- Foreign Affairs

How China Blew Its Chance to Seduce Taiwan -- Ted Galen Carpenter, National Interest

Vienna shadow play hangs over Iran nuke deal -- Pepe Escobar, Asia Times

Why are Middle East states selling off oil assets? -- Al Jazeera

Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide exposes Erdogan's weakness -- Cengiz Candar, Al-Monitor

How Chad's instability could affect G5 neighbors -- Cai Nebe, DW

Chad after Idriss Déby: Choice between stability and democracy? -- France 24

Will Russia's Risk-Aversion Keep It Away From Ukraine? -- William Courtney, RCW

The Ailing Health of Navalny and His Political Movement in Russia -- Stratfor

Scotland’s risky route to a new independence vote -- Alasdair Lane, Politico.eu

Scottish elections 2021: Are we stuck in an era of groundhog politics over independence debate? –- Ian Swanson, The Scotsman

Biden’s first 100 days: Too early to pass judgement -- Al Jazeera