A Mirror To Complex Conflicts

Fiction definitely reflects life. Looking at life while rereading Poul Anderson's The Winter Of The World, we, or at least I, currently see complex conflicts in both. The fictional conflicts are easier to discuss. They cannot be as complex and we are not directly involved in them although the author might engage our emotions in supporting one side as against another. Anderson reflects real life complexities as far as an author can:

two generations ago, a Barommian dynasty took control of the Rahidian Empire;

the Empire has conquered Arvennath from where it it invades the Rogavikian territories;

an Arvannethan criminal Brotherhood seeks alliance with the Rogaviki;

the Killmaraichans have sent a spy who works with the Rogaviki but then thinks that they cannot be relied on, then is unsure.

And how often do we wonder which side to support? (Many of us don't wonder. We just get stuck in!)