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Egypt

October 14, 2026

Cairo 8:07 am

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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.

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

Explainer

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

Egypt expelled an official at the Ethiopian Embassy in Cairo on Thursday following a similar move by Ethiopia that same day, in the latest sign of tensions between the neighboring African countries.

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

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

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of withholding information in the hours before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, but the former security chief rejected the claim, saying he intends to file a defamation suit.

Latest News

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.

Egypt hosts Greece, Cyprus defense ministers: What to know

Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas, Egyptian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ashraf Salem Zaher, and Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias meet in Cairo, Sept. 22, 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

A visitor takes pictures of the hieroglyph-adorned walls in KV11, the Tomb of Pharaoh Ramses III, at the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of the Nile River, Luxor, Egypt, Jan. 18, 2022.

Culture

Egypt restores Golden Shrine at ancient temple in Luxor

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the completion of restoration works at the Golden Shrine in the Temple of Habu in Luxor, built in memory of King Ramses III.

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Tracker: ships carry grain from Ukraine to Middle East

Ships have left Ukraine for Turkey, Iran and elsewhere since the agreement between Ukraine and Russia on safe passage through the Black Sea.

JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

Shipping giant Maersk to invest $500 million in Suez Canal

The investment comes as the canal strives to go green following record-setting revenues.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and upcoming Chairman of the COP27 Sameh Shoukry is seen at a press conference after the May Ministerial - World Climate Leaders Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark, May 13, 2022.

Egypt to mobilize investments for climate projects ahead of COP27

The first regional forum organized by the Egyptian presidency of the UNFCCC COP27, among five forums aimed at encouraging investment in climate action, kicked off in Addis Ababa Aug. 2.

This picture taken on Jan. 13, 2022, shows a view of the Shubra al-Kheima natural gas electrical power station.

Saudi Arabia secures funding for electricity interconnection with Egypt

Egypt just approved a plan to ration electricity, though the government said there is not a shortage of power.

A general view of the Egyptian Stock Market in Cairo on Jan. 6, 2013.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund acquires stakes in Egyptian state-owned firms

The acquisitions help make good on Saudi Arabia’s pledge to invest billions in Egypt.

People walk past a currency exchange shop displaying a giant US dollar banknote in downtown Cairo on Nov. 3, 2016.

Here's how the latest US rate hike will impact Egypt's economy

A stronger US dollar will inevitably drive higher import costs, and subsequently prices, in the most populous Arab country, yet could eventually provide a boost to the local currency with an increase in exports.

Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov addresses the public during a press conference at the Russian Embassy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Aug. 02, 2022.

Lavrov sidesteps Nile dam dispute in meetings in Egypt, Ethiopia

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov seems to have avoided the GERD issue, instead focusing on his country’s relations with Egypt, Ethiopia and other African countries.

REMKO DE WAAL/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt creates independent fund for Suez Canal

Egypt has established a new fund for the Suez Canal manage its own revenues independently.

Cutting-edge applications of Artificial Intelligence on display at the Artificial Intelligence Pavilion.

Egypt-China ties strengthen with recent deals

China is also getting closer to Saudi Arabia, Iran and other countries in the region, primarily through economic cooperation.

A boy looks at the coins displayed at the exhibition Coins through the Ages at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, on Aug. 10, 2010.

Downward spiral causes crash in Egypt’s gold prices

Gold prices sharply dropped in Egypt amid a drop of global prices after the US Federal Reserve hiked interest rates.

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt, China expand climate cooperation ahead of COP27

As Egypt prepares to host the COP27 conference, it's getting help from China to transform Sharm el-Sheikh into a green city.