Sudan’s War Tests Limits of U.S. Influence

A brutal conflict between Sudan’s regular army and a powerful militia has devastated the nation. The fighting also reveals a complex regional struggle, drawing in neighboring powers. The war pits the national army against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly called “Hemedti.” Their clash has killed thousands and created a major humanitarian crisis. Analysts note the conflict has become a proxy battleground. Competing interests from Sudan’s influential neighbors now shape the war’s dynamics. The United States seeks to end the violence. However, its current strategy relies heavily on persuading these same regional powers to mediate, highlighting Washington’s limited direct leverage in the crisis.