Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, The Guardian: For once, Putin is doing the right thing for Syria
The Russian president is partly responsible for the carnage in Syria. But after six years of civil war, humanitarian safe zones would be a step forward
Once again it appears Vladimir Putin has seized the strategic high ground and initiative in Syria, as he declared yesterday that he has broad agreement for humanitarian safe zones across Syria after discussions with Donald Trump, Turkey and Iran.
He claims he can enable the ceasefire brokered in Astana some weeks ago, which currently is an abject failure, by creating no-fly zones with the Russian, Turkish, Iranian and US militaries protecting safe zones on the ground. He also, thankfully, acknowledges that UN troops might be required.
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 4, 2017
History of U.S.-Iran Relations Points to Bad End Game -- Peter Huessy, RCD
China Repeats West's Mistakes in Pakistan -- Mihir Sharma, Bloomberg
U.S.-China Rapprochement Under President Trump? -- Yun Sun, The Diplomat
US missile defense: Getting to 'ready' on North Korea threat -- CSM
America’s Uneasy Choices in Afghanistan -- Ehsan M. Ahrari, Yale Global
A Tale of Three Libyas -- Bennett Seftel, Cipher Brief
Greater Albania - bogeyman or a pipe dream? -- DW
French election: How Marine Le Pen could win even if she polls below 50 per cent -- Serge Galam, ABC News Online
Venezuela protests show no signs of letting up amid constitutional change -- DW
Venezuela Is Turning into Libya -- Scott B. MacDonald, National Interest
The end of autocracy in Venezuela? -- Maryhen Jimenez Morales, Al Jazeera
Mexico’s Drug Violence Spikes Again -- Ted Galen Carpenter, National Interest
Why is coca production on the rise in Colombia? -- Ross Eventon, Al Jazeera
As cyber warfare turns 10, the West risks falling behind -- Peter App, Reuters
Are government leakers bringing about the end of secrets? -- Jack Detsch, CSM
