Newsletter #2 - CediChronicles
Welcome back to the newsletter — three readings to help you understand how global power is shifting in real time. From Sudan’s foreign entanglements, to US–China rivalry, to Russia’s historical narratives, these pieces show how states reinterpret history and strategy to pursue influence.
Have a good read 🙂
1️⃣ The Most Nihilistic Conflict on Earth — Anne Applebaum (2025)
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Applebaum’s essay on Sudan captures more than just the facts of war. It explores how Sudan has become a battleground for regional and global powers — where local suffering is entangled with foreign interests.
It’s a sobering look at how state collapse opens space for geopolitical competition.
2️⃣ Asia in Flux: The US, China, and the Search for a New Equilibrium — International Crisis Group (2025)
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This report breaks down the strategic recalibration between the US and China in the Indo-Pacific.
Rather than framing it as a simple rivalry, the analysis shows both powers navigating uncertainty — seeking influence without triggering open confrontation.
It’s a useful reminder that “great power competition” often means managed instability rather than war.
3️⃣ Why Russia Talks About the ‘Anglo-Saxons’ — (2025)
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This article unpacks why Russian officials increasingly refer to “the Anglo-Saxons” when discussing the West.
Far from being rhetorical flair, it’s part of a historical narrative that legitimizes the war in Ukraine — casting it as a civilizational struggle rather than a geopolitical one.
A fascinating glimpse into how history becomes a weapon of propaganda.
💭 My takeaway:
From Khartoum to Beijing to Moscow, power today often hides behind language — “stability,” “equilibrium,” “civilization.” Understanding global politics means reading beyond the words to see the interests and narratives they conceal.