Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 8, 2018

Mary Dejevsky, The Independent: Iran is extending its regional power in Syria – this is Israel’s worst nightmare

The prospect of Iran having a direct corridor to its borders, and even military facilities inside Syria, not to mention the possibility of being able to link up directly with Hezbollah, is Israel’s current nightmare – and it has started issuing explicit warnings to this effect

The conflict in Syria seems to be hotting up again, just as it should be cooling down. Today US forces launched air strikes – the first for some time – in support of rebel forces that had come under Syrian government attack in a disputed area near the Iraqi border. Just a few days before, the UK minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, expressed “deep concern” about reports of chlorine attacks on the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta outside Damascus – phrasing that sounded very like an attempt to revive flagging public support for the rebel cause.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 8, 2018

The Next Phase of America’s War in Syria -- Danny Sjursen, RCD

For US in Syria, end game gets murkier as IS shrinks -- Robert Burns, AP

Cynicism in Syria -- Dominique Moisi, The Strategist

Syria's civil war explained from the beginning -- Al

Jazeera

Saudis see opportunities in helping to rebuild Iraq -- Mustafa Saadoun, Al-Monitor

How a disputed oil and gas field could be the last straw for Israel and Lebanon -- Chirine Mouchantaf, Defense News

Women in Saudi Arabia have a long way to go in order to be free, says Manal al-Sharif -- Thomas Oriti and Laura Brierley Newton, ABC News Online

North Korea, Myanmar in a sanctions-busting embrace -- Bertil Lintner, Asia Times

Analysis: As Olympics begin, 2 Koreas navigate an odd moment -- Foser Klug and Eric Talmadge, AP

Mashaal Radio shutdown: Is Pakistan suppressing foreign media? -- Shah Meer Baloch, DW

Could global nationalism drive some countries into the arms of China? -- Sebastian Sprenger, Defense News

Germany's new government: Same old story for environment? -- Martin Kuebler, DW

What Trump gets wrong about Mexico -- Andrés Martinez, Reuters

Venezuela election could trigger deeper sanctions, exiles -- Scott Smith, AP

Military Parades Are a Waste of Time and Money -- Andrew Exum, The Atlantic

President Trump's military parade plan is a brilliant political move -- Jake Noval, CNBC