Forecast As alliances within the Middle East shift, Sudan will continue to explore options and align with those countries that can support its economic and security needs. The International Criminal Court's indictment of Sudanese President Omar al Bashir will continue to limit the West's ability to work with the Sudanese government. Sudan's loss of oil sector revenue will increase its focus on establishing expedient foreign relations. In recent months, Stratfor has noted a significant reorientation in Sudanese foreign policy. The country previously had a close relationship with Iran and played a critical part in providing arms to Iranian proxies and to Hamas, but several incidents have indicated a disruption in that relationship. The most notable of these was Khartoum's decision to shut down an Iranian cultural center in Sudan and to expel the associated Iranian diplomatic staff .