Birth Pains

摘要

Countries are often forged in fire and blood, and it now looks inevitable that violence will attend the birth of the world's newest nation. As Sudan prepares for a January referendum that is almost certain to give its southern region independence-local authorities have already launched a contest to compose a national anthem-the world is bracing for conflagration. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described the situation as a "ticking time bomb." President Obama will attend a special U.N. meeting on Sept. 24 to discuss Sudan's future.