WORLD ROUNDUPThe Middle East’s New Axis? | A Superpower Crunch Over Taiwan Is Coming | Spain’s Blackout Brings a New Meaning to Energy Security, and more

Spain’s Blackout Brings a New Meaning to Energy Security  (Keith Johnson, Foreign Policy)
In an electrified world, the reliability of the grid is everything.

British Marine Guarding Nuclear Weapons Questioned over ‘Neo-Nazi Links’  (Andrew Vaux and Larisa Brown, The Times)
Man was referred to the Prevent counter-extremism program and questioned by police.

Trump Weighs His Options Against Putin  (Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic)
The president has shown signs of exasperation. But he has never been willing to stand up to his Russian counterpart.

The Haunting Legacy of the Vietnam War  (Chloe Hadavas, Foreign Policy)
Reflecting on one of the first forever wars, 50 years on.

Why Iran Won’t Come to a Deal Quickly  (Lawrence J. Haas, National Interest)
Tehran has plenty of reasons to run out the clock and ensure that a deal with Trump does not stray too far from the terms of the 2015 JCPOA.

The Middle East’s New Axis?  (Arman Mahmoudian and Jeff Rogg, National Interest)
Starting in Syria, the United States must prevent a Turkish-Sunni bloc from replacing the Iranian-Shia bloc as the regional troublemaker.

There’s Only One Good Iran Deal  (Matthew Kroenig, Foreign Policy)
Multiple kinds of agreements are possible—but only one would be effective.

A Superpower Crunch Over Taiwan Is Coming  (Economist)
China has a new chance to call America’s bluff.