Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- November 21, 2017

Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic: Mugabe's Time Runs Out

Zimbabwe’s president outlasted empires, global movements, and his political rivals—until Tuesday.

When Robert Mugabe became Zimbabwe’s first leader in 1980, Jimmy Carter was still in the White House, Leonid Brezhnev led the seemingly invincible Soviet Union, and Nelson Mandela was 18 years into a 27-year sentence on Robben Island in apartheid-era South Africa.

In the four decades since that time, Mugabe, who is now 93 years old, tightened his hold on Zimbabwe, stifled the opposition, and dismantled the economy of what was once one of Africa's best-performing countries. Mugabe is the only leader much of Zimbabwe's population, whose median age is 20, has known—and he seemed destined to remain in office until his death. But just as he appeared to be paving the way for a dynastic succession—following the lead of his African contemporaries in Togo, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—it became apparent his seemingly permanent grip on power was, in fact, weak. His move two weeks ago to replace Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa with Grace Mugabe, the widely reviled first lady, was met with a military takeover and, ultimately, the end of the Mugabe era. Parliament Speaker Jacob Francis Mudenda announced Tuesday that Mugabe had resigned as president, halting impeachment proceedings against him.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- November 21, 2017

Zimbabwe is not the banana republic of western fancy. After Mugabe, it can thrive -- Ranga Mberi, The Guardian

Has Kushner given Riyadh carte blanche? -- Laura Rozen , Al-Monitor

Mohammed bin Salman and the new balance of power -- Spengler, Asia Times

The irresistible rise of MBS… and his possible downfall -- Uwe Parpart and Pepe Escobar, Asia Times

How America Can Push Back against China in the South China Sea and Beyond -- Phillip Dolitsky, National Interest

All Quiet on the North Korean Front? -- Van Jackson. The Atlantic

Law and Order in Afghanistan—or Lack Thereof -- Kelsey Smith, Observer

Suu Kyi takes a populist, paranoid turn -- David Scott Mathieson, Asia Times

The Real Winner in America's Russia Crisis Is China -- Leon Hadar, National Interest

China Isn't Winning the Race for Space -- Adam Minter, Bloomberg

Victoria's Secret Meets China's Security -- Christopher Balding, Bloomberg

Cambodia Becomes the World’s Newest One-Party State -- Sebastian Strangio, Foreign Policy

Germany Is Europe’s Newest Problem -- Judy Dempsey, Carnegie Europe

What's Next for Merkel and Germany? -- Severin Weiland, Spiegel Online

Trump is already the most successful U.S. president since Ronald Reagan -- Conrad Black, National Post