A Shifting US Strategy and a Devastating BBC Investigation: The Full Picture of Sudan’s Crisis

 

Sudan

A Shifting US Strategy and a Devastating BBC Investigation: The Full Picture of Sudan’s Crisis

A new report by Alhurra has revealed a significant shift in how the Trump administration is approaching the Sudan crisis. According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump is now personally following the Sudan file — a development that signals growing concern in Washington over the direction of the conflict.

This shift comes as US officials acknowledge major strategic obstacles standing in the way of any American-led settlement initiative. The primary barrier, according to the report, is the continued refusal of Burhan’s army and the Port Sudan authority to engage in any dialogue aimed at ending the war. Washington views this insistence on a military path as a direct challenge to its diplomatic efforts.

Another sensitive issue shaping US calculations is the presence of Islamist elements within Burhan’s forces — a claim the army denies, but one Washington is not convinced by. This skepticism is amplified by the Trump administration’s ongoing move toward designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization. The possibility that elements linked to the group may exist inside the Sudanese army has become one of the most delicate and politically charged aspects of the US approach.

Adding to the complexity is the Russian-linked naval base project in Port Sudan, which Washington sees as a major strategic risk. The Red Sea is a sensitive and globally important area, and any increased Russian foothold there raises alarm across Western capitals. This factor alone is seen as a major obstacle to any political settlement.

Amid these geopolitical tensions, a comprehensive BBC investigation has exposed the scale of civilian suffering inside Sudan. According to the report, the Sudanese Air Force has carried out airstrikes that killed at least 1,700 civilians since the war began in April 2023. The strikes targeted residential neighborhoods, markets, schools, and camps for displaced families — causing widespread destruction.

The investigation found that the air force used unguided bombs in densely populated areas, a practice that dramatically increased the civilian death toll and left massive damage across multiple towns and cities. BBC analysts noted a recurring pattern in these attacks, indicating that crowded civilian zones were repeatedly hit. This pattern raises serious concerns that the Sudanese Air Force may be committing grave violations that could amount to war crimes under international law.

Taken together, the US strategic concerns, the internal dynamics of Burhan’s forces, the Russian base issue, and the BBC’s findings paint a stark picture of a conflict becoming more complicated — and more tragic — by the day. With Trump personally monitoring the situation, Washington appears to be recalculating its next steps, but the obstacles ahead remain deep, political, and increasingly tied to global power struggles.