Publication

This paper argues that both Iran and Sudan are preparing to pursue major geopolitical initiatives into and across the Sahel, up to the shores of the Gulf of Guinea. Their purpose is to 1) consolidate their influence over the region and its natural resources, 2) simultaneously diminish the West’s power and presence, and 3) blunt the spread of anti-Shi’ite takfiri-jihadist entities in the area. The risk in trying to fulfill these goals, however, is that Tehran and Khartoum might collide with the policies and interests of one of their major supporters – China.