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
At Africa summit, China elevates ties with Libya, invests $14M in Egypt The Sino-Libyan pact was announced Wednesday by Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Libyan Presidency Council Mohamed al-Menfi at the FOCAC summit in Beijing. Libya
Turkey, Egypt ink 17 deals as Erdogan hosts Sisi on first visit to Ankara The Turkish and Egyptian leaders reaffirmed their commitment to improving bilateral ties as well as increasing coordination on regional issues. Turkey
Analysis Once sworn enemies, Egypt’s Sisi and Turkey’s Erdogan to meet in Ankara Despite more than a decade of hostility between Turkey and Egypt, ties appear to be on an upward trajectory. By Amberin Zaman In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
China, Russia, UAE make strong showing at Egypt International Airshow China sent military aircraft to fly over the pyramids ahead of the event, which followed a joint naval exercise between Egypt and the People’s Republic. Egypt
Tensions surge in Horn of Africa as Ethiopia’s ambitions clash with Somalia, Egypt Tensions in the Horn of Africa bubble following a weapons delivery from Egypt to Somalia on Tuesday and Ethiopia's accusing Somalia of colluding with foreign governments. Egypt
Egypt sends military aid to Somalia as tensions soar with Ethiopia Tensions in the region are high following the signing of a controversial agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland as several countries including Egypt and Turkey seek a foothold in Somalia. Egypt
How significant is Egypt and China’s naval exercise in Mediterranean? The exercise follows Egyptian President Sisi’s May trip to Beijing, as well as Chinese interest in Egypt’s ports and tech sector. Egypt
Three obstacles remain as Egypt, Israel make progress on Philadelphi Corridor Gaps between Israel and Egypt over the complicated issue of the Philadelphi Corridor are reportedly closing ahead of a Sunday summit in the Egyptian capital on a hostage release and Gaza cease-fire deal. Israel
Analysis With Sinwar undecided, Israel wary of imminent Lebanon war with Hezbollah “We are within touching distance of an Israeli attack in Lebanon, which is intended to allow us to return the residents of the north to their homes,” a senior Israeli military source told Al-Monitor this week, even as Iran hesitates on next steps. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Mossad director, US officials back in Egypt for talks on Philadelphi Corridor The Israeli delegation for the deal to release the hostages arrived in Cairo for talks with the Americans and Egyptians ahead of a potential summit this Sunday. Israel
Egypt’s Sisi to pay first visit to Turkey as ties with Erdogan warm Turkey and Egypt are expected to ink several cooperation deals during the visit, which will seal the end of more than a decade-long hostilities. Turkey
Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef no longer on X: What we know The exiled comic has been a vocal critic of Israel, highlighting the plight of the Palestinians during the Gaza war but has recently been accused of antisemitism. Egypt