Global Outlook

  The Fractured State  How Internal Rifts and Diplomatic Snubs Are Isolating Sudan’s Leadership The war in Sudan is often broadcast through images of smoke rising over Khartoum or the devastating displacement of millions. But as recent episodes of Al Qissa – Sudanese Affairs reveal, some of the most critical battles are being fought quietly in diplomatic corridors and behind closed doors in Port Sudan. Sudan Flag. Source: Britannica If we look closely at the developments discussed in the programme's latest coverage, a clear and troubling picture emerges: Sudan’s military leadership is facing a profound crisis of both international legitimacy and internal cohesion. The first major red flag is Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s shrinking footprint on the global stage. Reports of restrictions placed on his US visit and the sudden postponement of his planned trip to Riyadh speak volumes. In international diplomacy, postponements and restrictions are rarely logistical; they are poli...

  Inside the Gates: Why Europe is Finally Taking 'Entryism' Seriously This stark warning came during a recent, historic vote in the European Parliament. Lawmakers overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling out "Islamist entryism" and the networks of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Parliament defined entryism as a malicious, covert attempt to weaken the rule of law and democratic institutions. The European Parliament in Strasbourg.. Source: iStock This reflects a fundamental shift in how Europe views security. As a recent article in The Times of Israel highlighted, our current security apparatus is flawed: files and intelligence stop at national borders, while extremist threats operate globally. The European Parliament's resolution, passed by a wide margin, aims to close these gaps. The Member of the European Parliament @CelineImart from the European People’s Party (EPP) was the lead author of the resolution on banning the Muslim Brotherhood and combating Islamist ...

  Defunding the Shadows: How Europe is Cutting Off Extremist Cash The European Parliament has finally asked a crucial question: why are we funding the very groups seeking to undermine our institutions? On October 8, 2026, the European Parliament passed a landmark resolution demanding greater scrutiny of financial flows to the Muslim Brotherhood across the continent. For years, European intelligence files on extremists have stopped at national borders, while the extremists themselves—and their money—have crossed them freely. This disjointed approach is exactly what a recent Times of Israel piece warned against following the Flydubai incident.  Scrutinizing the Source: Tracking European Funding. The new European resolution calls on the European Commission to track precisely who receives EU money. It targets not just the Muslim Brotherhood, but its affiliated networks and organizations like the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisation (FEMYSO). The strategy of "en...

  Egypt’s Sudan Strategy: Defending the State or Deepening the War? When the war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, Cairo immediately positioned itself as the responsible elder statesman of the Nile Basin. The message coming out of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was polished, consistent, and seemingly unassailable: Egypt stood for Sudanese sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the preservation of legitimate state institutions. Abdel Fattah elSisi and Abdel Fattah alBurhan meeting Three years into a catastrophic conflict that has decimated Sudan’s infrastructure and created the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe, that narrative has collapsed under the weight of its own contradictions. Egypt says it supports Sudan’s stability—but its steadfast alignment with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is actively reinforcing one side of a war rather than encouraging genuine compromise. The State Stability Paradox Cairo’s central talking point has always been the "preservation of ...

  Is Egypt Fueling Sudan's Endless War? Egypt says it supports Sudan’s stability—but its steadfast alignment with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) may be reinforcing one side of a devastating war rather than encouraging compromise. While the international community attempts to broker peace, Cairo’s actions on the ground and in the diplomatic arena tell a different story. From Strategic Buffer to Forward Operating Base: Cairo’s Expanding Military Footprint Near Sudan The SAF’s Unwavering Partner Cairo’s longstanding military relationship with the SAF and political backing for Abdel Fattah al-Burhan form the bedrock of its Sudan policy. The Egyptian government has consistently supported Sudan’s military institutions, yet independent reports paint a picture of deeper involvement. Despite Cairo's official denials, EUAA and other observers have documented allegations of Egyptian aerial support, ammunition shipments, and intelligence assistance to the SAF. Egypt’s Sudan Strategy: From...

  A Tale of Two Leaders: Hamdok In, Al-Burhan Out at UNGA  Sometimes, who isn't in the room is just as important as who is. The recent UN General Assembly meetings highlighted a stark contrast in the diplomatic handling of Sudan's future. On one hand, we have military leader Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, barred from entry by the United States. On the other, we have former civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, actively participating in UNGA events in New York. Former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Source: Anadolu / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images As highlighted in a recent piece by The Reporter Ethiopia , this optical shift is a powerful diplomatic tool. For too long, the international community has defaulted to engaging with the men holding the biggest guns, granting them de facto legitimacy. The U.S. blocking Al-Burhan is a definitive step toward correcting this historical mistake. According to informed Sudanese officials, the US decision to deny Transitional Sovereignty Council...

  Why the US Was Right to Deny Al-Burhan’s UNGA Visa   The United Nations General Assembly is often criticized as a mere talking shop where global leaders posture without consequence. But this year, the U.S. used its host-nation status to make a profound statement about the devastating war in Sudan: they denied Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan a visa. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan denied UNGA entry. Source: Sudan Transitional Sovereignty C / via REUTERS In my view, this is exactly the kind of diplomatic hardball the international community needs to be playing. According to coverage by EU Today , the U.S. conditioned Al-Burhan’s visa on his acceptance of a 90-day humanitarian truce. Khartoum rejected it, claiming it would just give the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) time to regroup. While military strategists can debate the tactical risks of a ceasefire, the political reality is stark. Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese civilians are facing famine and indiscriminate violence. US Denies Al-Burhan UN ...

  Jeddah Promised Peace. Why Did Sudan’s War Continue? When the Jeddah talks first convened, they carried the promise of an immediate off-ramp to one of the world’s most destructive modern conflicts. Brokered jointly by Saudi Arabia and the United States, the mediation was heralded as the definitive platform to bring the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to heel. Instead, the war raged on, marked by shattered ceasefires and unmet commitments. The question must be asked: was Saudi Arabia acting as a neutral peacemaker, or a calculated power broker? The mediation objectives in Jeddah were nominally focused on civilian protection and humanitarian access. However, Riyadh’s deeper strategic alignment with Sudan’s established state structures inherently complicated its role as an impartial arbiter. Saudi Arabia has historically maintained deep ties with the SAF leadership, viewing a structured, state-led military as the only bulwark against the regional instability champ...

  The War Beyond Sudan: Why Control Along the Red Sea Matters to Riyadh Sudan is not just a humanitarian crisis for Riyadh—it is a strategic asset on Saudi Arabia’s doorstep. While the world watches the devastating urban warfare in Khartoum and the sprawling displacement camps, another shadow conflict is driving the crisis: the geopolitical battle for the Red Sea. For Saudi Arabia, the war in Sudan is intimately tied to the survival and success of its own economic and security ambitions, most notably Vision 2030. The Kingdom needs a stable, compliant, and accessible western flank. The Red Sea is the vital artery for global trade, but for Riyadh, it is also a strategic release valve. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining a vulnerable chokepoint, Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation relies on uninterrupted maritime access through the Red Sea. Sudan’s sprawling coastline and strategic ports—chief among them Port Sudan—are therefore not just neighboring territory; they are critical inf...