What to Read in The Hindu Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: ​​​​In free fall

Context

Sudan’s path back to democracy seems increasingly uncertain.

Introduction

Sudan’s civil war has reached a horrifying peak with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committing mass atrocities in El-Fasher, Darfur. Emerging from the infamous Janjaweed militia, the RSF’s actions—rape, killings, and famine-inducing blockades—reflect the deepening collapse of the state. Once a beacon of hope after Omar al-Bashir’s fall, Sudan now faces a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Sudan’s Escalating Conflict: The El-Fasher Atrocities

• Sudan has a long history of violenceby paramilitary groups, especially in Darfur.
• The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a successor of the Janjaweed militia, carried out mass killings, rape, and lootingin El-Fasher, Darfur’s capital, in late October 2025.
• These acts shocked observers even by Sudan’s grim standards.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF): Origins and Atrocities

Aspect	Details
Nature of Group	Predominantly Arab militia, notorious for targeting African communities in Darfur.
Historical Roots	Emerged from the Janjaweed militia in the early 2000s under Omar al-Bashir’s rule.
Known For	Ethnic cleansing, genocidal violence, and brutal counterinsurgency operations.
Current Control	Holds five of Darfur’s provincial capitals, tightening grip on a famine-stricken region.

Recent Developments

• El-Fasher Siege:RSF besieged the city for 18 months, triggering a humanitarian disaster.
• War Crimes:Massacres, including one at a maternity hospital; footage shared on social media.
• Displacement:Over 12 million displaced, tens of thousands killed since civil war began in April 2023.
• UN Assessment:Sudan now faces the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Collapse of Political Transition

Year	Event	Impact
2019	Fall of dictator Omar al-Bashir after public protests	Raised hopes for democracy
2021	Military-RSF coup against the transitional government	Democratic transition derailed
Post-2021	Tensions over RSF’s integration into regular army	Sparked full-scale civil war

Role of Omar al-Bashir

• Created the RSFfrom Janjaweed ranks as a personal army.
• Used it to crush oppositionand act as a parallel power structure to the military.
• RSF later turned against himwhen his rule faltered in 2019.

Current Power Dynamics

Actor	Territory Controlled	Foreign Support
Sudanese Army	Controls most of Sudan, including Khartoum	Egypt
RSF (Rapid Support Forces)	Dominates Darfur region	United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Recent Territorial Shifts

• The army recaptured Khartoumearlier in 2025.
• However, the fall of El-Fasherreaffirms RSF’s entrenched power in Darfur.

Implications and Global Concern

• Continued fighting risks:
  • Mass starvation and displacement
  • Total state collapse
  • Regional destabilizationacross the Horn of Africa
• International communitymust act urgently — the El-Fasher atrocities are a wake-up call.
• Both military and RSF backersshould:
  • Cease arms supply
  • Press for peace talksand humanitarian aid access.

Conclusion
Sudan stands on the brink of humanitarian and political collapse. The Rapid Support Forces’ brutality in El-Fasher exemplifies unchecked impunity and global indifference. To avert further tragedy, international pressure must shift from arming factions to enforcing dialogue and accountability. Peace in Sudan now hinges on collective diplomatic resolve rather than continued militarization.

 

Editorial 2: ​​​New horizons

Context

Developing nations must step forward to lead the global fight against the climate crisis.

Introduction

The 30th Conference of Parties (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil, marks a decade since the Paris Agreement and arrives at a crucial juncture for global climate action. While progress toward emission targets remains inadequate, the summit aims to shift focus toward implementation — strengthening financial mechanisms, forest preservation, and carbon markets — amidst geopolitical tensions and U.S. withdrawal.

30th Conference of Parties (COP 30) – Overview

• Venue:Belém, Brazil
• Context:Marks 10 years since the Paris Agreement (2015)
• Objective:To assess progress towards limiting global temperature rise below 2°C and “as close as possible to 1.5°C.”
• Current Mood:Despite the milestone, the conference begins amid global disarray and uncertainty.

U.S. Withdrawal and its Global Implications

Aspect	Details
Action	The U.S. has once again withdrawn from the Paris Agreement (though still part of the UNFCCC).
Shift in Tone	The 2017 break has become more hostile and confrontational.
Tactics Used	Threats of tariffs and political brinkmanship to derail emission cuts.
Impact	Slows global cooperation on clean technology and climate finance.

Examples of U.S. Disruption

• International Maritime Organization (IMO):
  • The U.S. blocked a resolution aimed at decarbonizing the shipping industry.
• Political Symbolism:
  • After Bill Gatessoftened his stance on climate urgency, Donald Trump cited it as “vindication” of U.S. policy.

Broader Implications

• While global clean energy investments now outpace fossil fuels,
  • The U.S. still holds formidable power to destabilizeinternational climate progress.
• Negotiators must navigate these political undercurrentsduring COP 30 deliberations.

Brazil’s Presidency: A COP of Implementation

Focus Area	Description
Theme	“Implementation COP” — Focus on putting past commitments into action.
Duration	12-day deliberation sprint in Belém.
Priority	Strengthening financial mechanisms, forest preservation, and carbon markets.

Key Agendas

• Adaptation Finance:
  • Mechanisms to fund climate resilience in vulnerable nations.
• Forest Conservation:
  • Brazil emphasizes the Amazon’s role as a global carbon sink.
• Carbon Credit Markets:
  • Refining transparency and accountability mechanisms.

Revitalizing Global Climate Governance

Proposed Reform	Objective
UN Multilateral Reforms	Enhance the UNFCCC’s capacity for decisive, outcome-based action.
‘Climate Council’ Proposal	Suggested by Brazil to streamline global decision-making and accountability.

 

• The aim is to infuse new energyinto the climate negotiation process, often seen as slow and bureaucratic.

Role of Developing Economies

Country Group	Strategic Importance
India, China, Brazil, South Africa (BRICS)	Expected to show greater leadership in global climate efforts.

Opportunities & Challenges

• Leadership Potential:
  • Emerging economies can shape the new climate order.
• Financial Responsibilities:
  • May need to recalibrate earlier positionsand show more ambition in financial commitments.
• India’s Path:
  • Should initiate internal policy dialogueto position itself strategically in the evolving climate landscape.

Conclusion

COP 30 offers both urgency and opportunity. Despite policy disruptions and waning cooperation, Brazil’s leadership seeks to revive momentum through concrete implementation and reform. For developing nations like India, China, Brazil, and South Africa, this is a defining moment to demonstrate ambition, foster innovation, and assume leadership in steering the world toward a more equitable and sustainable climate future.