The main foreign policy issue that has preoccupied Egypt recently has been the war in the Gaza Strip. Egypt’s policy toward the war in particular, and toward Israel in general, should be assessed in light of two central factors: first, the prolonged war and its severe consequences in the Gaza Strip—an area that directly borders Egypt; and second, the war’s contribution to the growing prominence of the Palestinian issue on Egypt’s national agenda, which resonates deeply within Egyptian public opinion. In this sense, this current...
This article examines the influence campaign led by the Muslim Brotherhood against the Egyptian regime since the ouster of President Morsi in 2013. The movement operates satellite television channels, websites, and social media networks, while also relying on affiliate movements and cross-border campaigns, with the aim of destabilizing the regime and encouraging internal unrest and resistance. The influence campaign highlights the regime’s failures in terms of the economy, infrastructure, and human rights, and depicts President...
The three wealthiest Gulf monarchies—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar—have ceased providing unconditional economic aid to Egypt and Jordan. Instead, they have transitioned to massive acquisitions of strategic assets in both countries, including land and essential infrastructure. This new policy grants the Gulf states direct influence over the Egyptian and Jordanian economies and thus leverage over the domestic and foreign policies of both countries. While this may offer certain advantages to Israel, such as greater...
Syria is currently undergoing an accelerated process of reintegration into the international community, which appears increasingly inclined to legitimize its new regime under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa. As an Arab Muslim country that shares a border with Israel, it is important to examine how Egypt—Israel’s most important neighbor and a major Arab state—is receiving Syria. While Egyptian–Syrian relations have fluctuated over the past decades, a fundamental ideological gap is now emerging for the first time. Nevertheless, Egypt...
During Israel’s ongoing war, the Arab peace states—especially Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates—have expressed deep mistrust, frustration, and even bewilderment over Israel’s conduct. These sentiments have recently intensified and appear to have reached a peak. While these countries acknowledge Israel’s military achievements and recognize that they could have a positive impact on the Middle East, they are also profoundly disturbed by what they perceive as Israel’s rigid, one-dimensional militaristic approach—namely, the...
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...
