ISD Capstone: S. Sudan Cnflct

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

South Sudan came onto the scene in 2011, a new nation, welcomed into what all believed would be a new high mark for democracy in Africa. It was viewed as a U.S. policy success. Two years later, the country was torn apart by ethnic strife, weak leadership, and regional political machinations. This course – one of three that fulfills the capstone requirement for the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy’s Certificate in Diplomatic Studies (CDS) – will give students the historical and political context leading to the fragile peace and the return to conflict. It will look at the regional dynamics and U.S. policy decisions and address the leadership deficit. By the end of the course, the students will develop a set of joint policy recommendations to provide to U.S. policy makers for finding a peaceful solution to the conflict moving forward. The course will be led by Ambassador (ret.) Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (2013-17). Course is open to non-CDS candidates on a space available basis.