war that doesn't say its name: the unending conflict in the Congo.

The article discusses Jason Stearns' book, which examines the ongoing violence and human suffering in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) nearly two decades after the end of major conflicts. Stearns argues that the nature of conflict has evolved but remains deeply entrenched, driven by specific interests and a complex political culture. He highlights the roles of local armed groups, particularly the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) and the March 23 Movement (M23), and critiques international responses that fail to address the DRC's fragmented state and the influence of neighboring Rwanda. The book emphasizes the need for transformative societal and political changes to resolve the persistent conflict, making it a significant resource for understanding the DRC and similar conflict zones. [Extracted from the article]