Blog
Jul 12

How Sudan Became a Saudi-UAE Proxy War

Analysis How Sudan Became a Saudi-UAE Proxy War

Gulf heavyweights view the conflict as an opportunity to cement their hegemonic status in the Middle East.

By Talal Mohammad, a scholar of Middle Eastern studies and an independent consultant in government affairs, geopolitics, and strategic intelligence.

Smoke plumes billow from a fire at a lumber warehouse in Khartoum.
Smoke plumes billow from a fire at a lumber warehouse in Khartoum.
Smoke plumes billow from a fire at a lumber warehouse in Khartoum amid ongoing fighting between Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemeti, on June 7. AFP via Getty Images

Talal Mohammad is a scholar of Middle Eastern studies and an independent consultant in government affairs, geopolitics, and strategic intelligence. From 2019 to 2022, he was an academic visitor at St. Antony’s College at the University of Oxford, where he also earned his doctorate. He is the author of the 2022 book Iranian-Saudi Rivalry Since 1979: In the Words of Kings and Clerics. Twitter: @DrOxbridge

Read More

A man walks down a dirt road as smoke billows in southern Khartoum.
A man walks down a dirt road as smoke billows in southern Khartoum.

Support Sudan’s Revolution, Not an Elite Peace Deal

Foreign powers’ obsessive focus on a transition process empowered generals and weakened democracy activists, paving the way to war.

Argument

|

Sharath Srinivasan

An armed Sudanese rebel is silhouetted against a blazing fire as he arrives at the abandoned village of Chero Kasi after Janjaweed militiamen set it ablaze.
An armed Sudanese rebel is silhouetted against a blazing fire as he arrives at the abandoned village of Chero Kasi after Janjaweed militiamen set it ablaze.

Sudan’s Ghosts of Darfur Come Back to Haunt It

The civil war between two rival generals has rekindled bloodshed, bad blood, and ethnic tensions in the tinderbox of Darfur.

Analysis

|

Justin Lynch

A photo collage illustration shows the two warring generals at the center of Sudan's unrest alongside images of U.S. President Joe Biden and the seal of the state department for a story about U.S. diplomacy in Sudan.
A photo collage illustration shows the two warring generals at the center of Sudan's unrest alongside images of U.S. President Joe Biden and the seal of the state department for a story about U.S. diplomacy in Sudan.

How the U.S. Fumbled Sudan’s Hopes for Democracy

The East African country, once a beacon for change, now faces civil war.

Feature

|

Robbie Gramer Newsletters

Sign up for Editors' Picks

A curated selection of FP’s must-read stories.

Enter your email Sign Up ✓ Signed Up Unsubscribe

You’re on the list! More ways to stay updated on global news:

FP Live

Enter your email Sign Up ✓ Signed Up Unsubscribe

World Brief

Enter your email Sign Up ✓ Signed Up Unsubscribe

China Brief

Enter your email Sign Up ✓ Signed Up Unsubscribe

South Asia Brief

Enter your email Sign Up ✓ Signed Up Unsubscribe

Situation Report

Enter your email Sign Up ✓ Signed Up Unsubscribe View All Newsletters By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.

By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.

latest

Elon Musk’s Twitter Is Becoming a Sewer of Disinformation

The Great Fight Over India’s Myths

Climate Catastrophes Strike Around the Globe

Europe Can Flex Its Military Muscle to Protect Postwar Ukraine

Adam Tooze: It’s Time to End the Trillion-Dollar Taboo

See All Stories

Editors’ Picks

  1. 1 Hydrogen Is the Future—or a Complete Mirage
  2. 2 The Great Fight Over India’s Myths
  3. 3 Civilian Men Are Trapped in Ukraine
  4. 4 Elon Musk’s Twitter Is Becoming a Sewer of Disinformation
  5. 5 Chinese Scientists Are Leaving the United States

Latest

Elon Musk's Twitter Is Becoming a Sewer of Disinformation

Review: In India, Modi's BJP Tears Down Nehru's Myths

South Korea, India, Southern Europe: A Devastating Climate Present—and Future

Europe's Joint Expeditionary Force Can Guarantee Ukraine's Postwar Future

Adam Tooze: It’s Time to End the Trillion-Dollar Taboo

See All Stories

More from Foreign Policy

An collage illustration shows map segments with member countries — and possible future members — of NATO. Russian President Vladamir Putin is seen in profile with a tear of Ukraine map to signify the effect of the Russian war on the alliance.
An collage illustration shows map segments with member countries — and possible future members — of NATO. Russian President Vladamir Putin is seen in profile with a tear of Ukraine map to signify the effect of the Russian war on the alliance.

NATO’s Next Decade

Nine thinkers assess the alliance’s future ahead of a historic summit.

A DJI Mavic Air drone hovers in front of the sun.
A DJI Mavic Air drone hovers in front of the sun.

There’s No Substitute for Chinese Drones (and That’s a Problem)

Grounding DJI products is already causing severe issues.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivers remarks at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivers remarks at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.

China Fires a Fresh Salvo in the Chip War

Beijing’s export restrictions on two metals may not be a death blow, but they are likely to serve as a warning shot.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama chat after a bilateral meeting at the G-20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama chat after a bilateral meeting at the G-20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico.

The Long, Destructive Shadow of Obama’s Russia Doctrine

A series of bad decisions during the Obama years prepared the ground for Vladimir Putin’s war.

Trending


  1. Hydrogen Is the Future—or a Complete Mirage

    Essay

    |

    Adam Tooze


  2. Chinese Scientists Are Leaving the United States

    Report

    |

    Christina Lu, Anusha Rathi


  3. Civilian Men Are Trapped in Ukraine

    Analysis

    |

    Charli Carpenter


  4. The Great Fight Over India’s Myths

    Review

    |

    Sumit Ganguly


  5. Elon Musk’s Twitter Is Becoming a Sewer of Disinformation

    Analysis

    |

    Miah Hammond-Errey

Latest

Elon Musk’s Twitter Is Becoming a Sewer of Disinformation

The Great Fight Over India’s Myths

Climate Catastrophes Strike Around the Globe

Europe Can Flex Its Military Muscle to Protect Postwar Ukraine

Adam Tooze: It’s Time to End the Trillion-Dollar Taboo

See All Stories Newsletters

Sign up for World Brief

FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day. Delivered weekdays.

Enter your email Sign Up ✓ Signed Up Unsubscribe By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.

By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.

About The Author

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.