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Egypt

April 19, 2026

Cairo 10:14 pm

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A man walks through the atrium during the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

IMF slashes Mideast outlook by nearly 3 points as Iran war hits economies

The International Monetary Fund cut gross domestic product forecasts for the Middle East and North Africa, with the fallout from the conflict exposing stark divergences between the region’s energy exporters and importers.

Sayed Hassan/Getty Images

Analysis

Egypt eyes energy breakthroughs as Iran war deepens gas crunch

Among countries outside the Gulf conflict's direct line of fire, few have felt the shockwaves as acutely as Egypt.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A police speed boat patrols the port as oil tankers and high speed crafts sit anchored at Muscat Anchorage near the Strait of Hormuz on March 30, 2026 in Muscat, Oman.

Analysis

Hostage to Hormuz, can Gulf rewire future energy flows to bypass Iran’s chokepoint?

As the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts around 20% of global oil supply, experts point to opportunities and challenges facing a renewed push to develop alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal beach of Nasholim, on Aug. 29, 2022.

Israel energy minister says gas flowing to Egypt, Jordan despite shutdown reports

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Al-Monitor that despite security concerns and partial shut down of marine gas platforms, Israel continues to supply gas to Egypt, Jordan and Israeli consumers.

Latest News

Egypt closes stores early, Jordan bans AC as Iran war takes toll

Shops close early, on March 28, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt.

Analysis

Oil-rich Gulf states could face power crunch as Iran war hits energy security

A general view of South Pars gas field facilities in the southern Iranian port town of Assaluyeh, on the Gulf, Nov. 19, 2015.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

How Egypt is navigating limited options in Iran war to stay neutral

US President Donald Trump and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clasp hands as they speak to the press before their meeting on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Analysis

Oil crisis stokes inflation risks for Mideast as Iran war exposes importers

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

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

Intellectuals and artists, who are anti-Mursi protestors, carry pictures of some of the popular Egyptian artists and writers as they demonstrate in front of the Ministry of Culture against what they claimed are increasing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood over the Ministry of Culture, in Cairo June 9, 2013. Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi increased the influence of his Muslim Brotherhood over government in a cabinet reshuffle in May that replaced two ministers involved in crucial talks with the IMF over

Is Culture Ministry Sit-In a Warm Up For Egypt's June 30 Protests?

Egyptian artists and intellectuals have staged a festive sit-in to demand removal of Minister of Culture Alaa Abdel-Aziz and a halt to his “Ikhwanization” policies.

Egypt's opposition members shouts slogans against against Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood as they clash with riot police during a protest against the new judicial law in front of Egypt's Shura Council in Cairo May 25, 2013. Egypt's highest court ruled on Saturday that parts of a revised election law setting out terms for a parliamentary election were unconstitutional, casting fresh doubt over a poll that has already been delayed. The Shura Council has approved, Saturda

Egypt’s Opposition Parties Agree: Consensus Before Economy

Similar stances between Egypt’s liberal and Salafist parties concerning the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood could pave the way for an unlikely electoral coalition.

Friends of Egyptian suspects react after hearing the judge's verdict at a court room during a case against foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Cairo June 4, 2013. An Egyptian court sentenced at least 15 U.S. citizens in absentia to five years in jail on Tuesday and one American who stood trial was jailed for two years in a case against private foreign groups seeking to promote democracy. Judge Makram Awad also ordered the closure of the NGOs, including the U.S.-based International Republican I

NGO Workers Sentenced By Egyptian Court

The verdicts in the case prove the timidity of the Obama administration in engaging with the failures of Egypt’s democratic transition.

Intellectuals and artists, who are anti-Mursi protestors, carry pictures of some of the popular Egyptian artists and writers stand in front of the Ministry of Culture to demonstrate against what they claimed are increasing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood over the Ministry of Culture, in Cairo June 9, 2013. Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi increased the influence of his Muslim Brotherhood over government in a cabinet reshuffle in May that replaced two ministers involved in crucial talks with the IMF over

Will Egypt Have Its Second Revolution on June 30?

There is speculation about massive protests to occur on the anniversary of President Mohammed Morsi’s first year in power.

Coptic Christians pray during a Coptic Orthodox Easter mass at the main cathedral in Cairo May 4, 2013. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: RELIGION) - RTXZAOM

Egypt Breaks Faith On Religious Freedom

The government of President Mohammed Morsi needs to do more to protect religious freedom in Egypt.

Comics Make Egyptians Smile Regardless of Politics

Asa7be started its crusade with a series addressing sexual harassment and has since become a prevalent source of release and laughter in post-revolutionary Egypt.

A man signs a "Tamarod" document at Tahrir square in Cairo May 16, 2013. A campaign named "Tamarod", meaning "Rebel", calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi and for early presidential elections has gathered over two million signatures since its launch nearly two weeks ago in Egypt, organisers said. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTXZP6G

For Egypt's Opposition, It’s Economy, Not Religion

Mass mobilization against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi will not lead to effective change unless there are alternative policies to back it up.

The Mideast in Venice

Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist.

United Arab Emirates

A general view shows the Shura Council during its meeting in Cairo May 25, 2013. Egypt's highest court ruled on Saturday that parts of a revised election law setting out terms for a parliamentary election were unconstitutional, casting fresh doubt over a poll that has already been delayed. Shura Council has approved, Saturday, the referral of the contentious amendment proposal of the judicial authority law to the body's legislative committee for detailed review. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POL

Egypt’s Supreme Court Rules Against Shura Council

Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court declares the Shura Council and Constituent Assembly unconstitutional.

Young Female Egyptian Musicians Break Barriers

While Umm Kulthum will always be a national treasure, a crop of Egyptian female artists are challenging the old sound and style.

Egyptian security forces and emergency personnel inspect the bus at the site of a road accident in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on May 31, 2013 which left four Mexican tourists killed. Seventeen tourists, all Mexican, were injured in the crash, South Sinai's governor told AFP, adding that two were in critical condition. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

Blame for Sinai Tension Also Lies in Cairo

Continued violence in Sinai is prompting calls within Egypt for a revision of its treaty with Israel, but state neglect is also to blame.

Street vendors sell refreshments in front of the Supreme Constitutional Court in Maadi, south of Cairo December 2, 2012. Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court postponed its work indefinitely on Sunday after a protest by Islamists sympathetic to President Mohamed Mursi outside its headquarters. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW FOOD) - RTR3B4NE

Armed and Dangerous: Egyptian Court Gives Military the Vote

Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court stirred controversy with its ruling to grant military officers and soldiers the right to vote.