Reply #5: The Army runs things, the president is an Army stooge. [View All]

[bemildred]

The army is playing a game here to - on the one hand - avoid a return to guerilla/civil war, which they were losing, and - on the other hand - to continue to maintain its autonomy from civilian (Maoist) control.

The Maoists also want to avoid being seen as warmongers, hence the "peaceful" protest methods they are employing.

Both are betting that time will change things more in their favor, the Maoists are betting the Army will do a crappy job of running things (a safe bet IMHO), and the Army that they will do well enough to legitimize the de facto situation eventually.

The people of Nepal in general, of course, are way sick of war. I do not know how they break down in support of these various wannabe rulers. I doubt that anyone truly has a good grip on that question.

China's commitment to democratic rule has never been very deep.