is the founder of the Red Sea Initiative. His research focuses on the growing influence of Middle Eastern counties in the Horn of Africa. He follows current dynamics that are shaping political transitions across the Red Sea region. His research focus has partially developed from his work experiences across East Africa and the Middle East. Mr Zaidan is doing his Ph.D. studies at the University of Washington in Seattle. He earned an M.A. in statecraft and national security affairs from the Institute of World Politics in Washington D.C. that focused on a comparative national security system. He received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at the University of Khartoum in Sudan in 2012. He published several articles in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the World Politics Review, Inside Arabia and the National Interest.