How the destabilization of South Sudan would affect American foreign policyIn 2011, after nearly 50 years of conflict, citizens of the southern half of Sudan voted to secede and form their own country. . On July 9, 2011, South Sudan was created amid an uphill battle for legitimacy, governance and economic stability in an already unstable region. Widespread poverty and underdeveloped infrastructure undermine South Sudan's chances of success. As a new member of the United Nations, South Sudan receives military assistance from 55 countries and police assistance from 39 countries (UN, 2014). Despite perceived steps to long-term success, South Sudan has great potential to destabilize the entire region. This perception is largely based on the success of its economy and its ability to provide security and governance for its citizens. We will examine South Sudan's potential to destabilize North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Central Africa and South Africa if South Sudan becomes a failed state. South Sudan's Oil Industry First, we will look at South Sudan's economy, as it is a central point of its success. After South Sudan gained independence from Sudan, one of the notable challenges it faced was becoming a landlocked country. With huge oil deposits within its borders, South Sudan depends on other countries to export its oil; mainly their rival, Sudan. A series of pipelines run through Sudan to Port Sudan along the Red Sea. These pipelines are remnants of pre-independence Sudan. Due to pipelines within their borders, Sudan wants an income of 245,000 barrels per day and increasing production of South Sudanese oil passing through its borders (Rose & Aizhu, ...... middle of paper ...... e, the crisis in South Sudan matters to its customers The Washington Post Accessed May 23, 2014 at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/with-oil-at-stake-. the-war-in-south-. sudan-matters-to-its-customers/2014/01/20/dcca9432-7d25-11e3-97d3-b9925ce2c57b_story.htmlRose, A. & Aizhu, C. (December 20, 2013). China to evacuate South Sudan oil workers to capital Reuters. Retrieved May 23, 2014 from http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/20/us-southsudan-unrest-china. -idUSBRE9BJ0FV20131220Trivett, V. (July 8, 2011) South Sudan is rich in oil Times to choose between North Sudan, China and the United States Accessed May 23, 2014 from http://www. businessinsider.com/southern-sudan-independence-2011-7 United Nations (2014). Republic of South Sudan. Accessed May 23, 2014 from http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmiss/