Egypt - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Egypt cover image

Egypt

February 19, 2026

Cairo 8:12 am

14°C

An Egyptian vendor fills dates for a customer at a market in Cairo's central Sayyida Zeinab district on Feb. 12, 2026, as Muslims prepare for the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which begins early next week.

Analysis

Egyptians in for another expensive Ramadan despite recovering economy

Egyptians tend to spend more during the Islamic holy month relative to the rest of the year, but high inflation and low wages have reduced their purchasing power.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Harassment on Cairo bus revives debate over women’s rights in Egypt

Police released a man who was accused of stalking and harassing a young woman who filmed her encounter with the suspect on a bus.

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomes Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 9, 2026.

MBZ hosts Sisi as Saudi Arabia and UAE jockey for regional influence

Economic ties between Egypt and the UAE are strengthening thanks to large Emirati investments in the North African country.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stand with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, Feb. 4, 2026.

Arms production to air defense: Inside $350M Egypt-Turkey military pact

Ankara and Cairo's military framework agreement goes beyond arms sales, reflecting a gradual strategic convergence that includes intelligence sharing in third countries.

Latest News

Iran warning near Hormuz collides with Red Sea shipping comeback

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt's economy can weather more Red Sea attacks, says finance minister

Ships sail along Egypt's Suez Canal near Ismailia on April 16, 2025.

From Egypt to Lebanon: What’s at stake for regional states on Trump’s visa ban list?

UN envoy in Cairo for talks as Sudan war tops 1,000 days: What to know

Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra speaks to the press with US Secretary of State John Kerry (unseen) during a press conference as part of the US/ Algeria Strategic Dialogue at the State Department in Washington, on April 8, 2015.

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

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the "APEC Leaders' Informal Dialogue with Guests" event during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok on November 18, 2022. (Photo by ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi continues regional reshuffle in hosting Egypt's Sisi, opening to Assad

The meeting between President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman comes as Egypt faces a deepening economic crisis and the region witnesses major realignments.

An Egyptian girl takes part in wheat harvest in Bamha village near al-Ayyat town in Giza province, some 60Km south of the capital on May 17, 2022. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt’s new grain security strategy put to test as Ukraine war enters second year

Egypt's new strategy to cope with major grain supply disruptions from the Ukraine war has worked well in its first year. But there are still challenges ahead.

Marc Español

Cairo peddler

Egypt raises interest rates again as inflation continues to creep up

The Central Bank of Egypt’s rate hikes have so far been unable to curb inflation.

AI middle east

Is the Middle East ready for its AI breakthrough?

Many Middle East governments see AI as an essential catalyst for growth and diversification, but the region’s aspirations have yet to materialize. This new Pro Trend Report takes a deep dive into the feasibility of regional AI strategies.

A man rides a scooter with a woman and two children along a main street adorned with Christmas and New Year's decorations, in the northern suburb of Shubra (home to a large Christian population), Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 31, 2021.

Egypt offers cash for families to control births

The Egyptian government intends to pay 1,000 Egyptian pounds to married women with two children or less annually as part of efforts to curb population growth.

A supporter of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stands in the back of a pickup truck bearing his portrait and loudspeakers, in the capital Cairo's Tahrir square on January 25, 2018, as the country marks the seventh anniversary of the 2011 uprising that ended the 30-year reign of former President Hosni Mubarak. / AFP PHOTO / MOHAMED EL-SHAHED (Photo credit should read MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt's Sisi unlikely to reconcile with Erdogan before Turkey's election

The Turkish military presence in Libya remains the key snag in Ankara’s efforts to mend fences with Egypt.

This picture taken on Nov. 17, 2019, shows the Hong Kong-flagged container ship CSCL STAR sailing through Egypt's Suez Canal.

Egypt-China relations strengthen with $2 billion factory deal

China is making major economic inroads into Egypt along with other countries in the Middle East.

People buy traditional lanterns and foodstuff ahead of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan at the market Sayyida Zeinab district, Cairo, Egypt, March 12, 2023.

This Ramadan, food prices change Egypt's longstanding Iftar customs

Surging food prices force Egyptians to strictly stick to the basics ahead of Ramadan.

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

2023 Mideast happiness rankings: UAE, Israel happiest as Lebanon hits bottom

The Middle East and North Africa region remains the least happy region after sub-Saharan Africa globally, but several regional nations have become happier in comparison to the previous period.

This picture shows an aerial view of the southernmost tip of the Nile Delta region, including the Qanater al-Khayreya Nile River barrages, north of Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 15, 2021.

Egypt presses on with mega water projects despite burden on state coffers

As water scarcity threatens Egypt’s food and national security, the state is moving forward with megaprojects to secure alternative water sources.

People watch on from a balcony displaying a large banner of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan outside a "Yes" (EVET) referendum campaign rally event attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on March 11, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey.(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Turkey's FM to visit Egypt as Erdogan mends relations with Sisi

The visit will be the first of its kind in more than a decade, following diplomatic deep freeze between the two East-Med countries.

Egypt port

Egypt signs $1.6 billion deals with China, EU companies to develop sea ports

The Egyptian government wants its Red Sea and Mediterranean ports to help boost the economy amid rising inflation and declining foreign currency reserves.