Publications

This article aims to address the recurring questions recently raised in Israel regarding Egypt’s expanded military presence in the Sinai Peninsula and near the international border with Israel, alongside its significant military buildup during the years of President el-Sisi’s rule. Such discussions often emphasize a link between these two issues, with claims emerging that Egypt is preparing for a pre-emptive war against Israel. Egyptians are not indifferent to such pronouncements, which have sparked critical discourse toward Israel...

An analysis of the official statement on the Arab initiative for Gaza’s reconstruction reveals a highly problematic declaration. Published in Arabic, the statement glorifies the resilience of the Palestinian people against Israeli aggression and includes harsh rhetoric condemning Israel’s alleged “crimes.” This language implicitly elevates and legitimizes Hamas, despite the statement’s token denunciation of terrorism—without explicitly condemning Hamas, Hezbollah, or Palestinian militants in the West Bank. For Israel, the lessons of...

In his second term, US President Donald Trump is unlikely to pursue the same Middle East policy as in his first. This shift stems from significant regional changes, including the decline of Iran’s power and its so-called “Axis of Resistance,” the renewed centrality of the Palestinian issue, and the growing strategic importance of the Gulf states in the great-power competition. President Trump’s generally favorable stance toward several regimes in the region, as well as his strong personal ties with key leaders, could generate...

As Donald Trump’s return to the White House reshapes global power dynamics, this article examines Egypt’s sophisticated diplomatic strategy, highlighted by its recent entry into BRICS in early 2024. It explores how Egypt manages its “uncomfortable but indispensable” relationship with the United States while fostering ties with China and Russia, showing how cultural and religious legacies influence these alliances.

Arab states can help advance a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, an agreement for the release of the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas, and an end to the war by adopting a resolute approach to Hamas. This approach, involving increased pressure, isolation, and delegitimization, should aim to undermine Hamas’s image and standing among the Arab public opinion. The proposed measures include media campaigns and public denunciations, legal sanctions, limitations on activity, and the promotion of an alternative religious discourse. These...

In the shadow of the October 7 massacre and the subsequent war that erupted in the Gaza Strip, Israel and Egypt recently marked the 45th anniversary of signing the peace accord between the two countries. While the events of the past few months have presented Israel and Egypt with a formidable test, the repercussions of this situation have not exceeded the traditional ambivalence that characterizes their relationship. Although the public and official discourse on both sides has been full of inflammatory, hostile, wary, and mistrustful...

The education of younger generations can serve as a useful tool for researchers seeking to understand the vision of a country’s leadership in the medium and long term. Israel–Egypt relations are a clear case that requires a forward-looking perspective. Although limited in their scope and depth, the two countries have peaceful and stable relations and diverse collaborations; they also carry traumas from the past and deeply rooted conceptions of hostility and suspicion. The question examined in this article is how education in Egypt...

Analysis of the initiatives and regional outlines on the question of the post-war Gaza Strip indicates both considerable gaps between them and the official Israeli position but also possible areas of agreement. Examining the initiatives, some of which are no more than “trial balloons,” is the first and essential step toward realizing the objectives of the war in Gaza and shaping the situation for the day after. The main political and security gaps emerging at this stage concern the role of the Palestinian Authority in any permanent...

Israel’s strategy for post-war Gaza remains ill-defined, but Egypt’s pivotal role in any future development is indisputable. Enhanced coordination between Jerusalem and Cairo is thus vital. Both countries should develop a joint plan to serve their respective political, security, and economic interests, bridge differing visions for Gaza’s future, and integrate regional and international actors into these efforts. The proposed plan should focus on neutralizing Hamas’ military and governance capabilities; facilitating the gradual and...

Since the massacre by Hamas in Israel on October 7, condemnations by religious figures in the Arab-Muslim world have been noticeably lacking. Particularly egregious is the absence of al-Azhar Institute in Egypt, considered a veteran and prestigious Sunni religious authority that under the Egyptian constitution enjoys a state budget and financial support from the United Arab Emirates. The establishment that Egypt used to present as a beacon of “religious moderation” and the standard bearer of the ideological struggle against Islamic...