Will the noose finally tighten around Al Burhan’s neck? 

Al-Jameel Al-Fadil 

Trump, a man who doesn’t believe in half-measures, has a history of not forgiving those who embarrass him on the international stage, or those who resist adopting the maps he draws with his pen, or with the colors of his allies. 

To such an extent that it seems as though the image of “Prestige” he so carefully cultivates has become a constant factor around which the entirety of his foreign policy revolves. 

Furthermore, a notable majority of his stances confirm that he might consider any retreat from a step he has initiated a “personal defeat.” 

Therefore, I believe that Trump cannot possibly reconcile with the concept of appearing weak before a General from a fragile State like General Al-Burhan, who has continued to intransigently reject the Quad’s roadmap, declaring his defiance of Washington’s stated desire to address the Sudanese war. 

The aforementioned could potentially progress Al-Burhan himself from the state of being a mere “uncooperative figure” to become a direct target -who must be removed, along with his associates, as quickly as possible, in order to reset the game taking place in a region on the Red Sea coast that has become extremely volatile, stretching from Somalia to southern Yemen. 

For his part, General Al-Burhan is currently standing on the precipice, gazing at old maps, the shadow of a fragmented nation reflected in his eyes, and the echo of an American voice that, whilst seemingly benign, is not entirely conciliatory. 

As Tommy Pigott, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State shared on the (X) platform: Washington is “deeply concerned” about Al-Burhan’s rhetoric in Türkiye, noting that Sudan is experiencing a critical humanitarian moment, with “tens of millions” suffering the effects of war. 

Nevertheless, the question remains: Has this general, who has attempted to play all sides —from the Port Sudan Palace to the gates of Istanbul, 

and from the window of Riyadh to the shadow of Cairo— realized that 

these very same ropes have become traps, 

and that the rug is being pulled out from under his feet, quietly and silently? 

Has this general grasped the depths of Washington’s messages, which remain somewhat veiled by a thick diplomatic veneer? 

However, what if, in the eyes of the entire world, Al-Burhan becomes the problem, not the solution? 

And what if this particular solution ultimately comes in the manner of this unpredictable man, whose actions are ultimately difficult to foresee? 

In any case, I imagine this General is facing a final test, for the air around him is thinning, the map before him is shrinking like a snake’s skin, and American prestige under Trump will not abandon its vengeance faced with such a fragile wall. 

Hence, the crucial question is: Can Al-Burhan now detect the sound of all these footsteps closing in on him? 

Does he realize that what remains is merely a moment of decision? Either he turns to him before it’s too late, or the whole table will turn against him. 

In Trump’s world, gentleness seems like a luxury, 

and decisiveness is the fate of anyone who delays their arrival at the table.