Friday, September 23, 2016

South Sudan: Rethinking Support for Independence

The Washington Post published on 23 September 2016 an oped titled "George Clooney and the Rot in South Sudan" by Zach Vertin, a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and former adviser to the U.S. special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan.

Vertin points out that some of the strongest supporters of South Sudan's independence such as George Clooney are now among its strongest critics. He asks whether they bear some responsibility for the deplorable situation in South Sudan. More importantly, he comments that as the United States calibrates foreign policy interventions in divided societies such as Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan whether there are lessons to be drawn from America's unique role in South Sudan.