Face of Truth: It Is Time for Sudan to Dance on the Heads of Snakes
Ibrahim Shaglawi
“Dancing on the heads of snakes” is a famous phrase associated with the late Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, describing a complex political reality that required delicate balancing acts both internally and externally. Today, this phrase could just as well describe Sudan’s current reality amid major regional transformations that are reshaping the balance of power in the Middle East. The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel signals a new phase where interests are intertwined, and influence is exerted through diverse tools. Military confrontation has become part of a broader strategic project to redraw the regional power map.
In this context, Sudan finds itself in an exceptionally sensitive position, where local challenges intersect with rapidly evolving regional conflicts, making it an inseparable part of these shifts.
The U.S. push in the region—marked by its unconditional support for Israel and, according to observers, Gulf-funded war efforts—seems to be part of a broader strategy to restructure the regional order. It aims to produce new Arab political systems that go beyond historical loyalties toward complete alignment and integration with the normalization project. What is desired now is not merely loyal regimes, but political and cultural structures that align entirely with an Israeli-American vision for the region—one that reconfigures the region under soft dominance and sustained control.
Amid these transformations, Sudan emerges as an exceptional case with strategic potential—if it can wisely and cautiously navigate the power lines. Despite its internal wounds and complex socio-political crises, Sudan possesses immense geostrategic significance, abundant natural and human resources, and a critical regional position that connects it to the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Gulf all at once. While some regional actors face the risk of disintegration or orchestrated chaos, Sudan—if it puts its domestic house in order—could transition from a marginalized state to a central player in the post-conflict regional equation.
As war expands in the Gulf and its costs rise, and with increasing risks of collapse in some Gulf states, Sudan may become the most viable and accessible destination for massive human and economic flows. These may include returning Sudanese nationals or Arabs seeking safety amid deteriorating conditions. If managed wisely, these expected waves of Arab and Gulf migration could serve as a major economic lever, stimulating local production, expanding domestic markets, increasing demand for services, goods, and housing, and attracting fleeing capital into promising sectors like agriculture, energy, and mining.
This regional shift extends beyond economics to the security architecture of the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. Should Sudan succeed in restoring stability, its army—having proven its combat effectiveness—could become a regional pillar of balance. With the decline of Gulf influence, Sudan’s value as a strategic actor will rise, and its military will become a sought-after player in regional security frameworks, bolstering Sudan’s political and diplomatic leverage at a time when the region is being reshaped.
Yet all scenarios hinge on Sudan’s ability to seize this historic moment and use it as a launchpad for a new strategic trajectory. Success depends on thoughtful action, avoiding the repetition of past failures, and adopting a rational national vision that transcends divisions and builds a proactive—not reactive—state. This requires leadership that understands the urgency of the moment and crafts foreign policy with calm pragmatism that balances national interests without succumbing to slogans or ideological polarization.
Sudan is no longer a marginal actor in the regional equation—it is now a strategic center amid ongoing geopolitical transformations. New maps are being drawn behind the scenes, and the vacuum left by declining Gulf influence in the Red Sea must be filled. If Sudan does not step forward, others will.
Therefore, this moment demands strategic and rational awareness, rising above emotional calculations and a painful past, while recognizing that major upheavals—no matter how destructive—hold hidden opportunities for those who can read them with intelligence and realism.
According to what we see from the Face of Truth:
It is time for Sudan to dance on the heads of snakes.
This is not reckless daring, but a response to a historical moment that allows neither retreat nor hesitation. The snakes are moving, the maps are being redrawn, and interests are shifting. Those who can walk the tightrope without falling will have a share in making and writing history. And perhaps Sudan—given its geostrategic weight—is standing before a different kind of gate. One that opens not only with strength, but also with vision, wisdom, and foresight.
Wishing you well and good health
Tuesday, May 24, 2025
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