David Smilde, Conversation
As rival factions vie for control over Venezuela, many of the country's 31 million people are suffering prolonged power outages, food and water shortages, and limited access to medicine.
Hussein Ibish, Bloomberg View
Israelis are relying on closer ties with Gulf states. The election next week will help determine how tight they can become.
James Stavridis, Time
The 29 nations of the alliance produce more than 50% of the world's gross domestic product
Paul Mason, Guardian
The fantasies sold to leave voters are so far away that a remain option is needed, says writer and broadcaster Paul Mason
Monica Showalter, Amer. Thinker
Less than two weeks ago, Russia shifted the balance of power in Venezuela, sending in 100 crack troops, ostensibly to repair Russian-made military aircraft damaged in Venezuela's massive blackout.
Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, DB
ARACAS, VenezuelaI'm ready to die for this. I'm 56 years old and I was born to have my blood shed for this country, but I don't want this to be your death, as it may be so many others in the coming months. I want you to get out but I know you won't so I will do everything I can to protect you.
Kevin Eyer, Proceedings
U.S. strategic assumptions on China bear close and continuous scrutiny.
Benjamin Anthony, TOI
They can't work out Brexit, a deal between peaceful allies, yet they judge us on matters impacting our national survival? Hilarious
Timothy Rich & Andi Dahmer, GA
The abrupt removal of U.S. funds will exacerbate a decline in positive perceptions of the United States and open up an opportunity for Sino-Latin American relations.
Tiffany Ma & Jessica Drun, The Diplomat
40 years after the U.S. passed a law to govern unofficial ties with Taiwan, the world has shifted dramatically.
National Geographic
Rail, roads, and real estate play a role in the physical shape of cities. So does geography. To track how metropolitan regions have developed, Shlomo Angel and his colleagues at New York University used historical maps and satellite imagery to create the Atlas of Urban Expansion. The atlas defines city parameters to include the entire built area beyond a city's jurisdictional boundaries and into surrounding municipalities.
Kadri Gursel, Al Monitor
The irreparable setback Turkey's president suffered in the March 31 municipal polls, coupled with the country's economic crisis, leaves him in a weaker position vis-a-vis Washington, Moscow and the European Union.
Piers Morgan, Spectator
I voted Remain, and still don't think Brexit is a good idea. However, if there were to be a second EU referendum, I would vote Leave. Not because I've experienced some Damascene conversion to the
John Lichfield, Guardian
France's president may threaten le Brexit dur' to rid Europe of a troublesome UK but he also wants to avoid another domestic backlash, says John Lichfield, a journalist based in France
Matthew Karnitschnig, Politico EU
Beijing, rather than Moscow, is the top concern as the alliance gathers in Washington this week.
Der Spiegel
As NATO prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary, the most successful military alliance in history finds itself in the throes of an existential crisis. The unfulfillled promises of some member countries -- in particular Germany -- to spend more on defense threaten to tear the block apart. By DER SPIEGEL Staff
