Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- July 12, 2017

Paul D. Shinkman, US News and World Report: Is Baghdadi Dead? For ISIS, it May Not Matter

Renewed Russian claims that it killed the elusive leader face skepticism from the U.S. and scrutiny among analysts.

The U.S. government on Tuesday said it could not verify increasingly widespread reports that Russian forces had killed Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a move that many hope would not only rid the extremist network of its charismatic so-called caliph but also undercut its ability to recruit.

"We cannot confirm this report but hope it is true," a spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. headquarters fighting the Islamic State group, tells U.S. News. "We strongly advise ISIS to implement a strong line of succession. It will be needed."

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- July 12, 2017

Islamic State Remains Dangerous in Defeat -- Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg

The Next Battle: State Department, US Military Divided Over Kurdish Fighters In Syria (And Russia) -- Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, Defense One/Council on Foreign Relations

Is It Ever a Good Idea to Arm Violent Nonstate Actors? -- Patricia Sullivan, RCD

Fears of a North Korean Warhead -- Berny

Belvedere, Arc Digital

Trump Has 6 Options to Neutralize North Korea—but None Are Good -- Austin Bay, Observer

WhatsApp warriors on the new frontline of Kashmir’s conflict -- Michael Safi, The Guardian

Uzbekistan Flirts With Disaster -- Kamran Bokhari, Geopolitical Futures

Asia’s Unhappy Anniversary -- Barry Eichengreen, Project Syndicate

South Africa Needs a New Direction -- Bloomberg editorial

Why Is Russia Aiming Missiles at China? -- Guy Plopsky, The Diplomat

Merkel-Gabriel spat: Could G20 chaos tear coalition apart? -- DW

The EU Woos the Balkans With Soft Power -- Stratfor

As Brazil’s Economy Recovers, Its Politics Disintegrate Again -- Samy Adghirni and Simone Preissler Iglesias, Bloomberg

Probe begins after 'greatest aviation disaster' narrowly avoided -- DW

Democrats intentionally used disinformation from Russia to attack Trump, campaign aides -- Rowan Scarborough, The Washington Times

Did Donald Trump Jr. break any laws by seeking damaging information from Russia on Hillary Clinton? -- Maureen Groppe , Kevin Johnson and David Jackson , USA TODAY