Sudan’s War: A Local Tragedy or a Regional Chess Game

On Monday, November 24, 2025, 

The Middle East Studies Program hosted a student debate to discuss what are the main drivers of the Sudanese crisis: are they internal differences or international actors' involvement? The event was organized by MA student Daria Konstantinova and moderated by PPAD Professor of Practice Alaa Elhadidi. 

Participants were able to make valuable arguments in favor of their position and counter-argue the points of their opponents by providing thoughtful insights regarding the background and current dynamics of the conflict.

The students concluded that domestic issues such as ethnic divisions, weak governance, and power struggle are the root causes of the war in Sudan, while international interference both exacerbates the situation through indirect arms support and has the potential to aid in conflict resolution by serving a mediating role in future. 

The debate ended with a group discussion on the actions the international community might take to solve the Sudanese war. The participants highlighted the importance of raising public awareness, supporting local civil groups, including the youth movements, and restricting arms smuggling to contribute to conflict resolution in Sudan.