Egypt

Policy Analysis on Egypt

Egyptian Media Reflections on Egypt’s Accession to BRICS

Although joining BRICS is an exciting economic prospect for many governments, the addition of new member states has not been without controversy. In Egypt, news of the nation’s accession to this institution has fueled a heated internal media debate on the feasibility of the move and its impact on the deteriorating economic situation in Egypt.

Sep 28, 2023

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

Video

Brief Analysis

The October 1973 War Redux: Lessons for Today’s Middle East Policy Challenges

Join us for a series of webcasts exploring the origins and lasting impact of the October 1973 war. Watch live starting at 12:00 noon EDT (1600 GMT) on Tuesday, October 3, 2023; at 4:00 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT) on Wednesday, October 4, 2023; and 12:00 noon EDT (1600 GMT) on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

October 3, 4, and 5, 2023

Moviegoers look at posters and showtimes at a theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in August 2023, including the global hit "Barbie" - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Barbie in the Middle East

Some countries banned the film while others let it screen amid restrictions and criticism, illustrating the region’s widening—but still comparably narrow—spectrum of views on cultural openness.

Sep 8, 2023

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Anna Brown

A Sudanese protester against military rule

Video

Brief Analysis

Sudan's Civil War: Mediation Challenges and the U.S. Role

Three experts assess the conflict’s effects on regional humanitarian and security issues, outlining the requirements for a durable ceasefire.

Jul 28, 2023

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Yasir Zaidan
Reem Abbas
Alex Rondos

Articles & Testimony

Guns, Drugs, and Smugglers: A Recent Heightened Challenge at Israel’s Borders with Jordan and Egypt

A dataset covering case-by-case information underscores the problems that authorities in each country face as they cooperate to clamp down on criminals and secure their shared frontiers.

Jul 2023

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Matthew Levitt
Lauren von Thaden

Fikra Forum

Egypt Has Not Revealed Any Workable Plan for Sudan

Despite numerous conferences and promises, Sudan's regional neighbors have done little to defuse the current conflict.

Jul 21, 2023

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Mon’im Omer

Fikra Forum

Egypt’s Approach to Conflict in Sudan: A Simmering Crisis

With no end in sight, the Sudan conflict will put significant pressure on Egypt's economic, political, and security infrastructure.

Jun 23, 2023

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Anthony Skinner

Fikra Forum

The Muslim Brotherhood: Organizational Crisis and Declining Capabilities

Once a dominant political movement, the Muslim Brotherhood's continual internal crises have caused the group to splinter and recede from the spotlight.

Jun 14, 2023

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Dr. Khairy Omar

Fikra Forum

Egypt: A National Dialogue or A Political Maneuver?

With key topics and figures excluded, Egypt's national dialogue is unlikely to achieve much in the way of reform.

Jun 9, 2023

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Dalia Ziada

Fikra Forum

Egyptians Still Lukewarm on Mass Street Protests; U.S. Trails Russia and China as Overall Partner, But Edges Out Both as Security Partner

A new public opinion poll of Egyptian citizens, commissioned by the Washington Institute and conducted in late March/April by a regional commercial firm, showed that despite the current economic doldrums, street protests remained unpopular.

Jun 5, 2023

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

A bread seller in Cairo walks past a sign promoting President Sisi - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Bread in Egypt: Politics, Social Unrest, and State Stability

The global rise in wheat prices since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has renewed questions about Egypt’s bread subsidies and the government’s broader legitimacy.

May 31, 2023

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Aaron Rock-Singer

Articles & Testimony

Is Egypt Headed Toward Collapse?

The country has been described as “too big to fail,” but further deterioration is possible amid mounting debt, major inflation, and delayed military divestment.

May 5, 2023

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David Schenker

Fikra Forum

The Growth of Chinese Influence in Egypt: Signs and Consequences

Chinese influence extends beyond the economic sphere, posing serious threats to Egypt's security interests and relationship with the United States.

Apr 27, 2023

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Mohamed Maher
Mohamed Farid

Photo of Israelis in Tel Aviv protesting proposed judiciary changes, February 2023.

Brief Analysis

Regional Reactions to Israel’s Protests

Many Middle Eastern outlets have used the crisis to reinforce their inflammatory rhetoric, but some have provided nuanced analysis through the lenses of democratic principles and Arab-Israel peace.

Apr 12, 2023

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Frances McDonough

Fikra Forum

Egyptians Face a Difficult Holy Month This Ramadan as Food Prices Skyrocket

Runaway inflation, currency devaluation, and unprecedented foreign debt could make this holiday the most challenging one in years, especially for low-income households.

Apr 3, 2023

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

Brief Analysis

Israel Planning to Export Gas via LNG Ship

The option, which would take several years to develop, would reduce or even remove the current need to export gas via Egypt.

Feb 22, 2023

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Simon Henderson

A delegation of Gulf Arab men and women visit Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.

Articles & Testimony

Why Arabs Should Learn About the Holocaust

The vow of “never again” taken by virtually all nations after the Second World War remains unfulfilled.

Feb 21, 2023

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

Changing Egyptian-Turkish Dynamics May Create Opportunities for Libya

Turkey’s tragic earthquake and Egypt’s economic crisis may lead both governments to ease their conflicts over Libya.

Feb 21, 2023

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Ben Fishman

Flags of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Turkey on display in Riyadh

Brief Analysis

Arab Gulf States Shift Toward More Harmonious Relations

After years of simmering tension, the recent evidence of positive change cannot be ignored.

Jan 30, 2023

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Egypt’s Economic Freefall Provides an Opening for U.S. Assistance—and Leverage

Given the tall task of managing public dissent and meeting IMF reform requirements without angering his military base, President Sisi may be more willing to shift his problematic stances on human rights and foreign policy.

Jan 26, 2023

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Ben Fishman

Supported by the

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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