The current international situation could be considered complex. There are numerous regions characterized by hard-fought military conflicts and opposition between government forces and rebels. Also, the Middle Eastern region, Africa, and Western Europe pose a great threat to international security, as conflicts in these areas set the conditions for the clash of leading states and forces trying to protect their national interests. That is why these strategic regions are impacting the evolution of the state of modern international relations and are predetermining the way one or another state makes its foreign policy. Being one of the leading countries tends to guarantee the involvement of the United States in the majority of modern political affairs, to support its image and secure the preservation of its leading position. At the moment, the country has numerous instruments of power that could help it to achieve its goal.
The current situation in Sudan could be considered one of the above-mentioned issues. The region gives rise to domestic and international conflicts that might have a pernicious influence on diplomatic affairs. The United States has a long history of relations with local countries, stemming from an understanding of the great strategic importance of an area that is rich in crude oil, and might influence energy prices. Sudan is one of the significant oil producers in the region. However, the Heglig Crisis between Sudan and South Sudan, which started in 2012, brought great instability to the region. The rebels proclaimed war against the local government and gained possession of several strategic cities. Numerous causalities and instability in the region could not but attract US attention, as the combatants have not been able to reach a compromise and initiate negotiations.
At the moment, the United States pursues its foreign policy by its National Security Strategy, which states the existence of four basic national interests: security, values, prosperity, and international order (“National Security Strategy” 17). These four spheres are crucial for the United States, as the adherence to this very strategy guarantees the preservation of the country’s leading positions on an international level and helps to control the situation. Security affairs should also be considered crucial, not only to guarantee the state’s involvement in any international conflicts; however, they also assure that citizens of the United States will not suffer from the terrorist threat.
This fact also determines the important role the state plays in the above-mentioned conflict. Sudan has long been one of the main sponsors of global terrorism, distributing a huge part of its income between various terrorist organizations(Allen par. 6). Also, the weakness of local authorities and the absence of any structured approach to monitoring the state of the oil industry has created conditions that favor the use of these funds to align with the sponsorship of terrorists. That is why the United States has certain interests in the region.
Considering the above-mentioned information and the current situation in Sudan, there are several steps that I, as the President of the USA, could make to gain control over the situation and guarantee the restoration of peace in the area. It is a fact that modern diplomacy tends to find a compromise and assure that all sides are satisfied with the existing solution. For this reason, I consider negotiations the most efficient tool of modern democracy and diplomacy. In this regard, the initiation of talks is one of the main US tasks in the region (“The President’s 2010 National Security Strategy” par. 5). All sides of the conflict should be either persuaded or forced to come to the table and provide their view of the situation, along with possible solutions. Only under these conditions could some progress in the process of the peaceful settlement of the conflict be observed.
I, as The President of the United States, the Commander in Chief and the leader of the nation, should come forward with an initiative to stop the war and try to look for some other way to resolve the conflict. I could use diplomatic and military instruments of power. The United States has always been known for its strong and efficient diplomacy, exercised through numerous embassies, that has had a great impact on international affairs. They are considered powerful tools to bring to bear on the situation in a state as each embassy acts as the provider of US foreign policy. At the same time, in case the means of diplomacy are not enough, a display of real military power could be used by me to force an opponent to accept a proposal and act by a suggested strategic plan.
This very step will support US national interests in the region. Using the means of diplomacy will promote the United States’ image and help to obtain new admirers. Furthermore, adhering to the country’s main humanistic values, while trying to avoid the excessive use of power and persuading all parties to sit around the table, I will also promote democracy and human rights abroad. Negotiations could be considered the most civilized and democratic way to solve international conflicts. That is why, by emphasizing the necessity of a peaceful settlement to this very situation, I will also strengthen the power of our example, showing the countries in the region the way a democratic and tolerant commonwealth should act. The United States’ national interests will be kept in mind while trying to resolve the crisis.
Also, being the initiator of the highlighted course of action, I should play a key role in the negotiation process. I have to visit Sudan to establish direct contact with the representatives of the legitimate government. The visit should show the United States’ awareness and concern about the way the conflict is evolving. Furthermore, my involvement could not but impact other participants of the conflict, which will encourage a clear vision of the current international situation. I should also proclaim the US position related to the given topical issue and accepting the set of actions needed to achieve the highlighted goal. In other words, his support should have a great positive effect on the suggested course of action, and promote US national interests in the region.
Additionally, the National Security Strategy and US national interests imply the promotion of dignity and satisfaction of people’s basic needs. About the situation in Sudan, the state of humanitarian disaster is evident (Allen par. 8). Several people are deprived of food, freshwater, qualified healthcare services, etc. Additionally, fierce clashes have resulted in housing facilities’ total devastation. At the moment, hundreds of people have to live in the street, as their houses have been destroyed. In this regard, the provision of humanitarian assistance for citizens in need should be considered one of the main steps in my suggested course of action. It is an integral part of any strategy aimed at the mitigation of the negative aftermath of the military conflict, and the improvement of existing living conditions needed for people to survive.
I could use the economic instrument of power to guarantee the introduction of significant changes to the current situation. First, I will suggest a detailed program, aimed at the provision of humanitarian assistance for Sudan. Upon adoption by the Congress, it could be exercised to attain improvement and help people. The United States’ great financial power could guarantee the provision of the needed amount of help. Moreover, as one of the world’s greatest manufacturers, we could use our economy to influence the collection of all needed materials. Furthermore, the United States could also wield its great international heft to engage other prosperous states and help Sudan to alter the disastrous situation. Medicines, foodstuffs, construction supplies, and materials for the creation of refugee camps could be supplied to Sudan as examples of types of humanitarian assistance.
One should realize that a coherent society proclaims a human being to be of the greatest value. For this reason, the cessation of every person’s sufferings and the creation of appropriate living conditions are the main tasks of any state or government. Unfortunately, there are still regions characterized by extreme poverty. That is why society’s attention should be attracted to this topical problem. The state of the humanitarian disaster in Sudan could be used by the United States to support its national interests that are focused on the satisfaction of the basic needs of people in all areas of the globe. Additionally, in providing its positive example, the United States attains a significant alteration of the perspective related to this very question, and also might obtain support from its numerous allies all over the world.
Also, I will become the main actor who undertakes the initiation of the given program and promotes the positive image of the state. It could be considered one of my functions, as I am responsible for the state’s image; I could act as a goodwill ambassador who might suggest certain kinds of assistance to nations that are badly in need of help. Possessing great power, I can initiate numerous programs and guarantee delivery of care, services, or goods to various regions. My great level of involvement will help to attract people’s attention to the nagging problem and consolidate some extra financial support. For these reasons, my involvement is crucial, as I bring emphasis to the great significance of the issue and guarantee numerous positive outcomes needed to alter the situation.
Nevertheless, according to the latest news, the situation around Malakal is complicated; there have been numerous fierce clashes and army maneuvers that are posing a serious threat to the UN mission in the region (Bariyo par. 3). Its main function is the provision of shelter to all refugees and guaranteeing their security. However, at the moment, these people’s lives are endangered as the rebels and governmental forces try to conquer this strategic area and turn it into the bridgehead needed for a further march. That is why the pledging of security is one of the key tasks of the United States in the region (Booth par. 7). The state could use its main instruments of power, both military and diplomatic, to help those people and protect the UN mission.
One realizes the fact that the protection of a certain object implies the use of troops to guarantee security. However, the given object is not situated on US territory, which means that any employment of force should be discussed by the United Nations and accepted by the majority of its members. At the moment, the assembly recognizes the great threat posed by local warfare. However, the initiation of any military operation should be considered as a radical solution adopted in the case where there is no other course to pursue. Instead, diplomacy could be used to persuade the combatants to end the war and assure that all members of the UN mission and refugees will be evacuated to secure areas. As an additional consideration, this task is crucial to restoring the UN mission’s image, and guarantee the avoidance of incidents of this sort in the future.
This strategic step will promote the United States’ national interests and result in the state’s increased importance on the international level. The fact is that the United States is one of the main founders of the United Nations, and is responsible for its further evolution, spread, and growth. At the same time, the state also guarantees protection to all UN missions all over the world. For this reason, the timely and significant support provided by the United States will be appreciated by the rest of the leading states. This positive example is also important, in terms of efficient cooperation between other UN members, as they should recognize the fact that the protection and support of its missions could be considered the main tasks to guarantee stability in various regions and improve the image of the United States all over the world.
However, I should be the main actor who guarantees the needed level of attention devoted to the given sphere. My level of impact on various international organizations, and the possibility of establishing contact with the heads of other states, contribute to the increased importance of my involvement in these very affairs. At the same time, I have sufficient authority to introduce severe measures and sanction the use of military forces to alter the situation and evacuate people from insecure areas. For this reason, my role is extremely important to assure that all possible actions will be provided to alter the situation and help people in need. I believe that my involvement is crucial, to protect the UN mission and create an efficient strategy that will be able to eliminate any threat to security.
However, US interference in internal affairs should not be aimed only at the cessation of hostilities. It is also vital to help a state recover from civil conflict and mitigate the negative impact that numerous skirmishes have had on its economy. Sudan should be able to survive and exist without any off-board assistance in the short term. However, it is impossible without the restoration of the oil industry, considered to be the main source of the country’s income. Its strategic importance could hardly be overestimated, as it has a great impact on Sudan, states in the region, and the world economy. In this regard, the restoration of the given industry is crucial for the region in general, and the country’s further existence in particular. For this reason, I should give great attention to the protection of oil deposits and creating conditions beneficial for the development of the industry.
The economic instrument of power should be used by me. The United States has significant experience in the given sphere. Its missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, etc. also faced the same challenge. There was a need to restore the most important economic sector and align its efficient functioning. In Sudan, the situation is the same. There have been numerous occurrences of devastation and destruction that undermine the efficient functioning of the whole national industry. Being one of the main actors interested in the provision of an efficient solution to the given conflict, the United States could use its great financial power to supply extra funds aimed at the restoration of the oil refinery industry. The expected outcome is the restoration of the industry and its efficient functioning to provide sufficient income. Sudan could become an important participant in determining the well-being of the region. For this reason, it is crucial to help this state to renew its financial power.
At the same time, the stability of Sudan’s economy could be considered one of the main priorities for the United States. Its national interests are closely connected with the oil market. The state depends on energy stability, as the oscillations of oil prices have an impact on the power of currency, economy, and industry. For this reason, the United States is interested in the restoration of the oil industry in Sudan, as it will contribute to increased financial power. It will also promote the state’s prosperity and help to improve citizens’ well-being. Furthermore, the restoration of international order could also be achieved in the course of these actions. A powerful Sudan will be able to interact with neighboring states and protect their interests.
For these reasons, I am deeply interested in the restoration of Sudan’s oil industry, as it is a guarantee of the financial power of the United States (Allen par. 3). Its involvement in domestic affairs will attract the attention of various states that could be considered main US rivals. That is why, to preserve the image of my own country, I have to assure that Sudan will continue its evolution and growth. It is for me to accept a strategic plan to guarantee the implementation of the plan’s main aspects (“US-Sudan Relations” par. 4). Furthermore, I have the requisite authority to use the most powerful instruments of power and supply Sudan with the needed equipment.
Altogether, the above-mentioned course of action is focused on the stabilization of the situation in Sudan and the surrounding region. The military conflict in the country impacts the whole region, as numerous rebel troops will move to the territories of neighboring states to avoid punishment and obtain additional support. The creation of a peaceful solution to the conflict will help to guarantee the further development of the region.
The complexity of the current situation in Sudan predetermines the necessity of implementing a strategic course of action that implies the use of certain instruments of power to guarantee the state’s further evolution and existence. The President could be considered the main actor who assures that all the above-mentioned actions will promote the state’s interests while improving US power and its impact on the international level. At the moment, the United States is one of the leading states, and it should go out of its way to preserve its image and support allies.
Works Cited
Allen, Karen. “Why does South Sudan matter so much to the US?” BBC News. 2015. Web.
Bariyo, Nicolas. “South Sudan Troops Recapture Malakal From Rebels.” The Wall Street Journal. 2014. Web.
Booth, Donald. U.S. Policy Toward Sudan and South Sudan. 2014. Web.
National Security Strategy. 2010. Web.
The President’s 2010 National Security Strategy. 2010. Web.
US-Sudan Relations. n.d. Web.