Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- June 16, 2020

Arif Rafiq. National Interest: A Crisis Is Brewing Between India and China. But This Time There Is a Big Difference.

America has inserted itself deeper into the China-India-Pakistan triangle, altering the shape of the regional order, pushing it toward a bipolar one with Beijing and Islamabad on one side and New Delhi and, to some extent, itself on the other.

It isn’t entirely clear what is taking place along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that separates Chinese and Indian-controlled territory along the Himalayas. However, the more credible voices in the Indian commentariat contend that in May, China made a series of ingresses along the undemarcated, disputed “line” and have assumed control of roughly 60-square kilometers in the Ladakh region claimed by New Delhi, including a strategically-important region near a nearly-completed highway that serves as a vital line of communication to its frontiers with China and Pakistan. And there are unconfirmed reports this morning of renewed clashes near the LAC that have left three Indian soldiers dead and maybe even dozens captured.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- June 16, 2020

The strategic importance of Galwan Valley -- Tribune India

North Korea: What's behind the liaison office demolition? -- BBC

Kim Yo-jong: Who is North Korea's Supreme Leader -- BBC

In Xi Jinping's effort to make China No. 1, he's forgotten the basics -- Peter Hartcher, Sydney Morning Herald

Pompeo bet against China — and COVID-19 may prove him right -- Michael Sobolik, The Hill

Could the China-US conflict evolve into two competing spheres of economic influence? -- Karen Yeung, SCMP

The difference between Chinese and US response to coronavirus could give China an edge in a future Cold War -- Nader Habibi and Hans Yue Zhu, The Conversation

The shape of Asia's new cold war -- Yoon Young-Kwan. Japan Times

What do new U.S. sanctions mean for Syria? -- Suleiman Al-Khalidi, Reuters

Kenya vs. Djibouti: Who will represent Africa on the UN Security Council? -- Antonio Cascais, DW

Germany is picking up the tab for Brexit -- Matthew Lynn, Spectator

The U.S. and Canada have little differences, but today, they are adding up fast -- Sean Speer, National Post

Study: 22 percent of people worldwide at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 if infected -- Jessie Hellmann, The Hill

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