Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- December 6, 2016

A supporter photographs Donald Trump during a campaign event in Ashburn, Virginia, August 2, 2016. REUTERS/Eric Thayer

Peter Apps, Reuters: Trump’s brave new world of Twitter diplomacy

When it comes to managing relations with China, Donald Trump is tearing up the rulebook. First by using Twitter to announce his telephone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, and then in his Sunday afternoon complaints over Beijing’s economic and military policy.

Traditionally, the key events in something as strategically crucial as Sino-U.S. relations are heavily discussed for hours, if not days, at the highest ranks of government. The new president-elect, however, shows every sign of being more spontaneous – and looks set to continue to use his personal social media posts in a way that will terrify foreign policy purists.

Trump has yet to pick his secretary of state - and that decision will be crucial to the foreign policy tone of his presidency. Given his style so far, however, there seems little doubt that he will also see himself as America’s “diplomat-in-chief.” That could make life difficult for whomever he picks to runs the State Department.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- December 6, 2016

How China could respond to Trump call -- Michael Auslin, CNN

China Should Heed Pearl Harbor's Lessons -- Kuni Miyake, Bkloomberg

As US and Iran knock heads again, Tehran hard-liners feel vindicated -- Scott Peterson, CSM

Saudi-Egypt crisis leaves Israel concerned -- Ben Caspit, Al-Monitor

Saudi Arabia’s Glass: Half Empty or Half Full? -- Thomas W. Lippman, Lobelog

Indian Prime Minister's Shake Down of Private Wealth -- Shikha Dalmia, Reason

Two movies China desperately wants to hide -- Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe

New Zealand’s popular prime minister bows out -- The Economist

Russia’s Energy Influence Dropping -- Balazs Jarabik, The Cipher Brief

NATO is betraying its principles -- Max Hofmann, DW

Matteo Renzi already plotting his return to Palazzo Chigi -- Stephanie Kirchgaessner, The Guardian

Italian Leader Steps Down: Day of Reckoning for Renzi -- Hans-Jürgen Schlamp, Spiegel Online

Following the ashes of Fidel Castro -- Allen Abel, Macleans

Cuba and Castro -- Jack Goldstone, RCW

Trudeau caught in pipeline blues of his own making -- Andrew Coyne, National Post

Why a top Democrat is open to Trump's pick for Pentagon -- Anna Mulrine Grobe, CSM

Trump's Boeing Provocation Could Backfire -- Paula Dwyer, Bloomberg