site banner

Small-Scale Question Sunday for April 23, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

2
Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

The new conflict that broke out in Sudan - anyone have a good low down on what is happening there, and why? Is this truly a proxy-war between the US and Russia (Rapid Support Forces being Russian proxy, I guess? And Sudan Armed Forces would be US allies..?), or is there something else to this?

Of course there is something else to it. Even a true "proxy war" is one in which the there is something else to it - a proxy war is one in which external powers each support one side, but that does not mean that the underlying conflict is not real.

If you are asking whether Russia encouraged the RSF to launch attacks, it is too soon to tell. And note that even if they did, there might be plenty of reasons that serves Russian interests, completely apart from great power rivalry.

Finally, there are other powers in the world other than great powers; regional powers have been far more involved in Sudan over the past several years than have great powers.