The world’s youngest nation—one the U.S. had a hand in creating—is on the brink of catastrophe, as the forces of former South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir clash ahead of 2015’s planned elections. The nation of some 10 million is caught in the crossfire of Mr. Machar’s rebel forces who are believed to have left 500 dead after a week of fighting for control. They have so far ignored all attempts at diplomacy and seized control of two state capitals and the surrounding areas, which has led Kenya to brace for an influx of a many as 60,000 South Sudanese refugees. In the meantime, some fifteen Americans have been transported out of the region, and the U.S. Marines are poised to enter …
