Egypt

Egypt

Egypt’s diplomatic reach, security role, demographic weight, and economic scale make it a central actor in MENA stability, from Gaza and Libya to Red Sea security and its longstanding leadership role in convening Arab countries. At a moment of regional fragmentation and global economic pressures, an expert-informed relationship with Cairo is more important than ever.

Featured commentary & analysis

Programs

Perspectives on North Africa

The North Africa Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East analyzes the strategic, political, and economic importance of the region for the United States and its allies. Since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, North Africa has undergone political and economic transformations that have impacted stability and security in the region. With its geographic crossroad between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, North Africa continues to be an integral partner in addressing shared interests and concerns.

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Content

MENASource

May 7, 2026

Egypt’s bet on land monetization

By Amir Asmar

There’s little doubt that Egypt's land development efforts will have measurable economic benefits, but they are unlikely, by themselves, to put the country’s economy on a solid footing.

Egypt North Africa

MENASource

Apr 9, 2026

Egypt’s foreign minister: One cannot secure waterways ‘while ignoring the political order of the states’ along the shore

By Maisoon H. Kafafy

Maisoon H. Kafafy reached out to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for his thoughts on this turbulent moment and the instability in the Horn of Africa.

East Africa Egypt

MENASource

Mar 25, 2026

Amid the Hormuz crisis, an Iraq-Jordan-Egypt oil pipeline can no longer wait

By Maisoon H. Kafafy

Iraq is hemorrhaging oil revenue. Egypt is absorbing shocks on every front. The infrastructure that could have changed both equations has been forty years in the making. It still doesn’t exist.

Conflict Egypt

MENASource

Mar 17, 2026

A crisis in Egypt could be a warning sign for the global economy 

By Khalid Azim

Market watchers should keep an eye on Egypt as an oil shock could cause financial turmoil.

Economy & Business Egypt

MENASource

Nov 10, 2025

The Nile at a crossroads: Navigating the GERD dispute as Egypt’s floodwaters rise

By Alessia Melcangi

The latest escalation between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia coincides with a diplomatic shift from the United States.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

MENASource

Oct 9, 2025

Amid Gaza cease-fire hope, where does the Egypt-Israel relationship stand?

By Shahira Amin

Israel’s Doha strike shifted the dynamics with Cairo—stemming from concerns that Egypt may be next in Israel's crosshairs.

Egypt Israel

MENASource

Jul 3, 2025

How the war in Gaza diminished dreams of political reform in Egypt

By Amr Salah Mohamed

Egypt's national debate has shifted from reform to national security with just weeks ahead of parliamentary elections.

Egypt Elections

MENASource

May 14, 2025

Choppy waters: Egypt’s waning patience with President Trump

By Shahira Amin

The US president's Suez Canal demands signal "a shift in US-Egyptian relations" which experts describe as "at their lowest ebb in decades."

Egypt Middle East

Experts

Fellow

Shahira Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Economy & Business

Expert

Maisoon H. Kafafy

Senior Advisor, Middle East Programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Staff

Karim Mezran

Director, Resident Senior Fellow, North Africa Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Khaled Sakr

Nonresident Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Staff

Nour Taha

Program Assistant, Transatlantic Project

Iraq Initiative

Arabic Conflict

Staff

Victoria J. Taylor 

Director, Iraq Initiative and Syria Project

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Egypt