Why critically acclaimed Egyptian film faces backlash at home

Egyptian director Mohamed Diab's "Clash" won accolades at Cannes this year, but the movie is now facing criticism after its premiere in Egypt.

Egypt

New taxes have Egyptian smokers fuming

As part of a new VAT bill aimed at reforming the country’s fiscal policy, the Egyptian government hikes up taxes on cigarettes and tobacco for the third year in a row, raising concern among smokers of limited income who now must choose between paying more or quitting.

Egypt

Will Egypt hold popular referendum on islands transfer?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Egyptian presidential candidate and lawyer Khalid Ali discusses the case he brought before the administrative court to challenge Cairo’s decision to transfer ownership of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia

Al-Qaeda affiliate’s desperate 'switch' validates US Syria policy

Fear of US and Russian airstrikes on eve of Syrian offensive a sign that Jabhat al-Nusra may be feeling the heat; Turkey’s de-Gulenification campaign in context; retired Saudi general probes Israeli commitment to peace settlement.

Saudi Arabia

Why are Egypt’s TV hosts migrating to Western screens?

Bassem Youssef, known as “Egypt’s Jon Stewart,” is no longer in Egypt, as he and other personalities like him are finding freedom of speech in the West.

Egypt

Will Hamas accept new Egypt-brokered deal with Israel?

Egypt is making efforts in sealing an exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, yet observers question whether Hamas will accept it given the strained ties between the movement and Cairo.

Palestine

What Saudi Arabia can offer Israel

The unofficial visit by a retired Saudi general to Israel was a quiet overture that indicated Riyadh is willing to explore normalization with Israel in return for advancing the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

Saudi Arabia

Lobbying 2016: US grudgingly accepts new normal with Egypt

Egypt

Why Morocco really wants back in the African Union

The king of Morocco's recent declaration that his country wants to return to the African Union after a 32-year absence appears to be a political maneuver to gain ground in the Western Sahara dispute.

Egypt

Parliament to take on Egypt’s notorious prisons

As allegations continue to mount against Egypt’s penal institutions, legislators plan to visit the lockups to see the conditions for themselves.

Egypt

Egypt’s doctors take on army over HIV ‘cure’ controversy

The controversy caused in Egypt by a new device to treat hepatitis C and HIV continues, with disciplinary action being recommended by the Medical Syndicate against four doctors involved in the case.

Egypt

How Egypt's Brotherhood helped counter Turkey's coup attempt

Putting aside internal differences, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood united behind the Turkish government to thwart a coup attempt July 15, but questions remain about how important the group's support is for the Turkish president.

Egypt