The current Darfur crisis in Sudan erupted in 2003. The south-western region of Darfur has become infamous for the civil strife that has been ensuing for the past six years, mainly centered around conflicts between rebel groups, government forces and paramilitary organizations, some of which (including "Jonahed") led genocides against thousands of people. Violent conflicts have resulted in the uprooting of much of the civilian population and forced expulsions from their homes. However, it seems that the roots of today's declining political situation can be found in the specific historical past O'Fahey aims to reproduce.

Under different circumstances Abu Musíab al-Suri could have been an established academic as he is characterized by strict methodological adherence, intellectual arrogance, inclination to self-citation, strained relations with colleagues and thirst for recognition. Nevertheless, the current international situation renders his candidacy for a university chair out of question. Hence, he rightfully occupies a position in the unofficial intelligencia of militant jihadi Islamism and he holds the undisputed chairmanship in the ëdepartment of strategics. However, more than that and besides his intellectualism, he is an ëadeptí heir of the tradition of field guerrilla warfare theoreticians. If unconventional warfare is doomed to irrelevance in the face of superior technology, organization and intelligence of the modern armies, Suri appears to give it a new breath.