While the crisis in Darfur simmers, the larger problem of Sudan's survival as a state is becoming increasingly urgent. Old tensions between the Arabs of the Nile River valley, who have held power for a century, and marginalized groups on the country's periphery are turning into a national crisis. Engagement with Khartoum may be the only way to avert another civil war in Sudan, and even that may not be enough.

Despite its recent willingness to combat terrorism, Sudan is still considered a state sponsor because of its ties to Hamas, the Iraqi insurgency, and violence in Darfur.

John Prendergast, codirector of the ENOUGH Project, discusses U.S. policy toward Sudan and what a new U.S. president should do to address the crisis in Darfur.

Listen to Gloria E. White-Hammond, cofounder of My Sister's Keeper and copastor of Bethel AME Church in Boston, discuss the role that faith-based organizations are playing in Africa, with a focus on their efforts in Darfur, as part of CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Conference Call Series.

Learn more about CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Initiative.

Roberta Cohen of the Brookings Institution says the United Nations needs to do some “hard bargaining” with the Sudanese government to facilitate the rapid deployment of the UN/AU peacekeeping force for Darfur.

Alex de Waal, an Africa expert at the Social Science Research Council, says the rebellion in Chad could prompt an escalation of the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region.

Michael J. Gerson states that “deployment of UN troops is perhaps the last hope for the betrayed people of Darfur. And we cannot run again.”

Darfur online forum features a debate between Sudan experts Alex De Waal and John Prendergast.

A report prepared by CSIS on the foreign policy and national security implications of global climate change.

Darfur peace talks faltered this weekend. Delegates are scrambling to put them back on track, as violence continues in Darfur.

Jan Eliasson, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for Darfur, says any new political agreement on Darfur must reflect the realities on the ground.

International attention is riveted on bringing Darfur’s rebel groups to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, peace in Sudan’s south appears increasingly fragile.

An increasingly chaotic political situation in Darfur may require a more inclusive round of negotiations than currently envisioned.

This article tells the story of farmers and herders in Niger who are working together to stop the advance of the Sahara Desert, avoiding conflicts such as the case in Darfur where competition for resources has reached deadly level.

African countries are increasingly called upon to provide peacekeepers for conflicts on their continent, but they may be reaching the limits of their capacity.

Jane Holl Lute, assistant secretary-general for UN peacekeeping operations, says the joint United Nations/African Union peacekeeping force for Darfur is an “unprecedented” operation and the full force will not be deployed until 2008.

After numerous failed peace attempts, Cote d’Ivoire forged a “homegrown” peace agreement this spring, raising questions about the role of international mediators in Africa peace processes.