Newsletter: China-Middle East Al-Monitor China-Middle East: China-Egypt first-ever joint air force drills China
China, Egypt to hold first air force drill as military ties grow: What to know The exercise scheduled for mid-April comes as Egypt-China ties are growing both militarily and economically despite US pressure on Cairo. China
Analysis From Rafales to railways: Egypt walks tightrope between China, West While Chinese investments reshape Egypt’s economy, structural trade imbalances and conflicting regional interests highlight the limits of this “golden decade” of cooperation By Dale Aluf In Amsterdam, reporting on China in the Middle East
Egypt's Sisi visits Qatar, nabs $7.5B in investments: What to know President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s trip to Doha comes amid Egypt’s moves to improve ties with Turkey and tensions with the UAE over the Gaza war. Egypt
CIA chief returns to Egypt in last-ditch effort for Gaza deal: What we know The Israeli press reports that CIA chief William Burns will head to Cairo Thursday for more talks on a possible deal between Israel and Hamas. Israel
Iran's Pezeshkian slams Israel at start of BRICS summit in Russia The summit in the Russian city of Kazan is the first since Iran, Egypt and the UAE joined BRICS as full members. Iran
Iran eyes naval drills with Saudi Arabia, Egypt amid simmering regional tensions The planned drills come on the heels of a recent joint exercise that Iran hosted in the Indian Ocean, as Tehran seeks to counterbalance Israel and curb US influence in the region's strategic waters. Iran
Gulf governments silent as Iran, proxies mourn Hamas' Yahya Sinwar Regional governments have not commented on Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar’s killing by Israeli forces in Gaza, but Iran and its proxy groups mourned his death, vowing that the resistance against Israel will continue. Palestine
Iran FM Araghchi meets Egypt’s Sisi amid diplomatic push: What we know The Iranian foreign minister held talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during which both agreed on the need to promote relations between the two countries. Egypt
Egypt's Sisi appoints new chief of powerful intelligence agency Egypt's president on Wednesday appointed a new director of its General Intelligence Service, a powerful agency that has played a key role in Gaza cease-fire talks. Egypt
Iran’s FM Araghchi mobilizes against Israel in visits to Jordan, Egypt, Turkey Iran’s foreign minister has paid visits to several countries in the region in the past weeks, with the latest stop taking him to Jordan, amid Israel’s expected retaliation for Iran's missile attack. Iran
Egypt's Sisi hosts Saudi crown prince as Cairo looks to attract investment Saudi's crown prince met with Egypt's president in Cairo on Tuesday, where the two oversaw the signing of an investment protection agreement and the creation of the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council. Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Somalia, Eritrea solidify regional alliance amid tensions with Ethiopia The three countries have pledged to deepen cooperation and defend Somalia's sovereignty after their leaders met in Eritrea's capital. Somalia
Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd to partner on Africa route avoiding Red Sea Gemini Cooperation will use the Cape of Good Hope network, which has been the alternative transit route for hundreds of vessels since the Houthis stepped up their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea in mid-November 2023. Yemen
Son of Osama bin Laden deported, banned from France: What we know French authorities have deported Omar bin Laden, son of Osama bin Laden, and banned him from returning to the country. Saudi Arabia
Middle East startups see 34% uptick in global investors Data firm MAGNiTT reported Tuesday that the Middle East far outperformed other markets and regions, including Africa and Southeast Asia, which saw steeper drops. Saudi Arabia
