Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 18, 2018

Elizabeth Schumacher, DW: Vladimir Putin: How a spy rose to power and held on to it

Vladimir Putin has used a system of misinformation and cronyism to stay in power for decades. DW takes a look at how an obscure low-level spy became an unbeatable leader.

Vladimir Putin is set to be re-elected as president of Russia, giving him a further six years in power. The political victory caps off a career spent accumulating power, evading consequences for legally questionable activities and changing Russia's image for the world and for itself.

After completing his law degree in 1975, Putin famously started his career at the KGB, the Soviet secret police force. He was posted to Dresden, East Germany, where he posed as a translator.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 18, 2018

Meet Putin's New Technocrats -- Kathrin Hille & Henry Foy, Financial Time

The Second Cold War Has Begun — and We Only Have Ourselves to Blame -- Darius Shahtahmasebi, The AntiMedia.org

Putin’s new Cold War -- Lawrence Freedman, New Statesman

It’s Time to Attack Putin’s Soft Underbelly -- John Fund, NRO

What does Turkey's seizure of Afrin mean for Syria war? -- AFP

What next for rebels, civilians in Syria's crumbling Ghouta? -- AFP

The Turks have taken Afrin. Let’s not let Manbij fall next. -- David Ignatius, Washington Post

Syria: Civilians without hope, a leader without a country: call this a victory? -- Martin Chulov, The Guardian

At 31, my first glimpse of life outside Gaza -- Abier Almasri, Reuters

Chairman Xi, Chinese Idol -- Ian Johnson, New York Review Of Books

Could the Kim-Trump summit succeed? -- Ramesh Thakur, Asia Times

Is it time for Germany to revisit its Russia relationship? -- Maximiliane Koschyk, DW

How journalism prompted a closer look at 14 deaths in the U.K. with Russian connections -- Diana Swain, CBC News

Crimea four years after the Russian takeover -- DW

The My Lai Massacre and How to Write About War -- Franz-Stefan Gady, The Diplomat

Trump's goal of 'energy dominance' could change the global balance of power -- Tony Seskus, CBC News