The following by Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi is reposted with permission:

Watching the new state of South Sudan fall into chaos

by Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi
Ha'aretz
May 18, 2012

http://www.meforum.org/3234/south-sudan-chaos

When the state of South Sudan came into existence last July, with great fanfare, Israel was one of the first nations to recognize it, having provided support for South Sudanese leaders since the 1960s during the first civil war. Indeed, in late December, Salva Kiir Mayardit - the president of South Sudan - came to Jerusalem, where he discussed the unique prospect of locating the country's embassy there. It was therefore no surprise that President Shimon Peres spoke so enthusiastically of the visit as a "moving and historic moment" for him and Israel.

Now, less than a year later, in light of Israel's plans to deport South Sudanese refugees, it is worth taking a look at how the world's youngest nation is faring.