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October 24, 2026

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Analysis

What's at stake as Libya's eastern parliament approves Turkey maritime deal

Libya's eastern-based parliament's approval of a long-disputed maritime deal with Turkey marks a strategic win for Ankara as Saddam Hifter seeks Turkish backing for his presidential ambitions, according to analysts.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attends a joint statements and agreements during the EU and Egypt summit in Brussels, on Oct. 22, 2025.

Sisi says Egypt has no ‘territorial ambitions’ after Israel’s Smotrich threatens Sinai

The Egyptian president’s remarks follow a warning from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Israel would seize the Sinai Peninsula if Egypt attacks.

China's President Xi Jinping (center L) walks along with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi followed by their wives Peng Liyuan and Entissar Amer (R) upon their arrival at the Cairo International Airport on September 1, 2026. President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt on September 1, making a rare trip to the Middle East as both countries face the threat of US sanctions over financial links to Iran. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why renewed Egypt-Ethiopia tensions are a problem for China

For Beijing, the renewed Egypt-Ethiopia standoff is a zero-sum bind that threatens vital strategic interests on both sides of the Nile.

Joyce Karam

A quadrilateral summit was held on Oct. 4, 2026, attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi, Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki, President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan Gen. Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan, in New El Alamein City, Egypt.

Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan hold summit amid Ethiopia tensions

All four countries have increasingly tense relations with Ethiopia, driven by disputes over the Nile, Red Sea access and security.

Latest News

Explainer

Why are Egypt and Ethiopia clashing over Tigray, Somalia and the Nile?

This general view shows the site of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Guba, Ethiopia, on February 19, 2022. - Ethiopia's massive hydro-electric dam project on a tributary of the Nile has raised regional tensions notably with Egypt, which depends on the huge river for 97 percent of its water supply. Government officials said the dam would begin producing electricity on Sunday, more than a decade since work first started. (Photo by Amanuel SILESHI / AFP) (Photo by AMANUEL SILESHI/AFP via Getty Ima

Ex-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to sue Netanyahu over Oct. 7 accusations: What to know

Ronen Bar, former chief of Israel's domestic Shin Bet security agency

On secret UAE visit, Netanyahu asked MBZ to deny pre-Oct. 7 warnings

Israeli PM

20 Israelis stranded in Ethiopia seek evacuation as fighting resumes: What to know

A general view of the damaged building housing Tigray TV, the state broadcaster of the Tigray region, following a drone strike in Mekelle, Ethiopia, Sept. 27, 2026.

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Mohammed Magdy

In Berlin, reporting on Egyptian politics

Ayah Aman

In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture

Salwa Samir

In Giza, reporting on politics

Nada Shaker

In Cairo, reporting on culture

Presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi (C) waits to cast his vote during the presidential election in Cairo, May 26, 2014. Egyptians began voting on Monday in a presidential election expected to sweep former army chief Abdel Fatah al-Sisi into office, reviving rule by strongman three years after Hosni Mubarak's downfall. Voters cast ballots at heavily guarded polling stations from 9.00 a.m. (0600 GMT). Sisi, who deposed the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi last July, faces only one challenger in the two-da

Two-time presidential candidate says Egypt losing its role in region

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamdeen Sabahi, a former presidential candidate and head of the Egyptian Popular Current, speaks about his decision to stage a sit-in and his views on the political situation in the country.

Why is Egypt calling on Israel to release Marwan al-Barghouti?

Sentenced to five life terms plus 40 additional years in an Israeli prison, jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti is now gaining supporters calling for his release, including Cairo.

Head of pro-Sisi coalition denies attempts to take control of Egypt's parliament

Saad al-Gamal, the head of the pro-government Support Egypt coalition, speaks to Al-Monitor about the most pressing issues facing parliament and responds to accusations of trying to take control of the legislature.

Hundreds of guests and delegates gathered for the opening of the Pan African Parliament's (PAP) second sitting. Hundreds of guests and delegates gathered for the opening of the Pan African Parliament's (PAP) second sitting at the Gallagher State conference centre in Midrand north of Johannesburg September 16,2004. Formed in the image of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the assembly was inaugurated in Addis Ababa last March and will be Africa's first representative body. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya - RTRAYQQ

Egypt hopes to make the most of its return to pan-African group

Egypt’s acceptance into the Pan-African Parliament is seen as a positive step, but it might not deliver as much as Egypt wants.

Riot police stand guard while Syrian protesters hold anti-Assad placards in front of the Arab League headquarters in Cairo where a meeting of Arab foreign ministers is taking place September 5, 2012. The placards say, "We are on hunger strike for the sake of the Syrian children". REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR37IEC

Why hasn't Egypt taken a clear stance on Syria?

Since Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power two years ago, Egypt has repeatedly stated that it wants to preserve the Syrian state and army, but it has been vague when it comes to voicing an opinion on the regime itself.

Amr Darrag, member of Egypt's National Alliance to Support the Electoral Legitimacy, speaks during a news conference in Cairo July 29, 2013. Europe's top diplomat Catherine Ashton pressed Egypt's rulers on Monday to step back from a growing confrontation with the Muslim Brotherhood of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Mursi, two days after 80 of his supporters were gunned down in Cairo. Raising the prospect of more bloodshed, the Muslim Brotherhood said it would march again on Monday evening on Interior Mi

Egyptian Brotherhood leader reflects on group's mistakes, future

In an extensive interview with Al-Monitor, Egyptian Brotherhood leader and former minister of planning and international cooperation Amr Darrag speaks about the challenges the group has faced in the past, the reassessments it has undergone and its vision for the future.

Cash offer for TV shows to hide cigarettes, drugs has some in Egypt fuming

Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali's offer of 1 million Egyptian pounds to any TV series to not show smoking or drug use during the holy month of Ramadan causes a furor in Egypt.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meets U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt May 18, 2016. REUTERS/Amr Nabil/Pool - RTSEVUS

Sisi's statements on peace efforts welcomed abroad, ridiculed at home

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has announced his country's willingness to negotiate between the Palestinians and Israelis, a statement that proved controversial in Egypt.

Egyptian firefighters extinguish fire at the popular market area of al-Atabaa in downtown Cairo, on May 9, 2016.
At least 50 people including firefighters suffered minor injuries when a fire spread quickly through a commercial area in downtown Cairo, Egyptian officials said. The fire erupted overnight in a small hotel in the Al-Mosky neighbourhood, not far from the Al-Azhar mosque, and moved rapidly to four nearby buildings, police told AFP. / AFP / AHMED ABD EL-GAWAD (Photo credit should read AHMED

Cairo fires fan the flames of public anger

A recent series of fires in downtown Cairo has ignited public anger, with some accusing the state of seeking to clear the region of informal vendors.

Satire leads Egypt youth troupe to prison

The Egyptian authorities seem to be taking a break from fighting terrorism to zealously track down young entertainers.

An Egyptian military vehicle is seen on the highway northern Sinai, May 25, 2015. Authorities in the Sinai Peninsula are battling insurgents who support Islamic State, the militant group that has seized parts of Iraq, Syria and Libya. The Sinai conflict, which has has displaced hundreds of Egyptians, is the biggest security challenge for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has promised to deliver stability after four years of turmoil triggered by the 2011 uprising. Picture taken May 25, 2015. REUTERS/Asmaa

Is Egypt's state of emergency in Sinai unconstitutional?

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is drawing the wrath of advocates of the constitution once again, this time for extending the state of emergency in north Sinai for another three months.

Workers conduct an onshore gas and oil inspection in Batroun, northern Lebanon, October 2, 2013. Lebanon launched an onshore oil and gas survey on Wednesday, hoping that promising results from surveys of its Mediterranean waters can be matched by similar prospects onland. To match LEBANON-ENERGY/ REUTERS/Mohammed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: ENERGY BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT POLITICS) - RTR3FIVP

Can Lebanon make progress on oil, gas exploration efforts?

A litany of more pressing crises has led to a delay in efforts to advance work on Lebanon's nascent oil and gas sector.