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

Egypt cover image

Egypt

November 4, 2026

Cairo 12:36 pm

29°C

YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 2: Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed speaks to supporters at Eastern Michigan University on November 2, 2026, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. El-Sayed is running against Republican Senate candidate, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) for the open U.S. Senate seat. (Photo by Salwan Georges/Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: November 4, 2026, 3:30 am

Abdul El-Sayed wins in Michigan, makes history as first Muslim senator

El-Sayed's victory came after an unusually fractious campaign that laid bare divisions within Michigan Democrats.

Turkish Navy sailors wave their caps from the flight deck

Explainer

After EU rebuff, how Turkey is courting Egypt for maritime deal

Turkey’s renewed push for a maritime deal with Egypt in a bid to ease Cairo’s objections to its maritime agreement with Libya, faces an uphill battle.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during a welcoming ceremony for participants of the Russia-Africa summit at the Grand Kremlin Palace in central Moscow, on Oct. 28, 2026.

Egypt’s Sisi, Putin meet as Russia steps up Africa push: What to know

Wednesday’s meeting comes on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit, a two-day gathering in Moscow bringing together African leaders and officials.

Lina Attalah in an undated photo

Egypt orders closure of Mada Masr, releases editor Lina Attalah

The Committee to Protect Journalists has ranked Egypt, which has just ordered the closure of Mada Masr, among the world’s top jailers of journalists.

Latest News

Explainer

As parliament approves, what's driving Egypt's 'defensive' support to Saudi Arabia?

Egyptian soldiers man an infantry fighting vehicle

Analysis

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

Fidan

Ezgi Akin

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

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

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

Analysis

Why renewed Egypt-Ethiopia tensions are a problem for China

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)

Joyce Karam

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

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on February 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to visit Trump since he returned to the White House last month. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Analysis

Can Netanyahu rebuff Trump's envoy on Gaza talks as second phase looms?

US special envoy to the region Steve Witkoff is pushing the Netanyahu government to enter talks on the second phase of the deal, which should see the release of the rest of the hostages and the withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Emiratis walk past a French Rafale fighter jet displayed during the Dubai Airshow on November 14, 2017, in the United Arab Emirates. / AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

France's burgeoning Gulf military influence: Rafale jets, naval systems and integration

France has emerged as the second-largest global arms exporter, surpassing Russia and solidifying its position as the leading European arms supplier to the Middle East.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman transits the Suez Canal, on Dec. 15, 2024.

US Navy carrier collides with merchant ship near Suez Canal: What to know

The ship's recent departure from the Red Sea has left Middle Eastern waters without a US aircraft carrier for the third time in 15 months.

A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on Nov. 3, 2024 in Suez, Egypt.

Egypt’s Suez Canal chief optimistic about Red Sea as attacks die down

The Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have ceased owing to the ceasefire in Gaza, prompting Egypt to encourage shipping companies to resume sailing through the waterway.

Demonstrators gather outside the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip on Jan. 31, 2025 to protest against a plan floated by US President Donald Trump to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Egypt and Jordan.

Thousands in Egypt protest Trump’s push to transfer Palestinians

Trump’s recent comments on sending Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan have put the Egyptian and Jordanian leadership on edge and sparked protests among Egyptian civilians.

Egyptian pound banknotes sit on a table on March 6, 2024, in Cairo, after Egypt's central bank announced it will allow the exchange rate to be set by the market.

Egypt’s economic reboot fuels bond market return with $2B sale

Egypt is making big moves to resuscitate its economy.

A vendor sells dates and dried fruits at a market in Cairo's central Sayyida Zeinab district, March 12, 2023.

Analysis

Egypt’s economic overhaul advances after 2024 turning point but pressures remain

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

People walk past a campaign poster of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in a market in Cairo on December 7, 2023, ahead of the presidential election. Egyptian citizens living abroad will cast early ballots on December 8 in a presidential election, in a vote all but certain to give incumbent Sisi a third term in office. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Wary of its own Islamists, Egypt adopts cautious approach to Syria

The Islamist takeover of Syria has triggered concerns in Cairo about a potential resurgence in Egypt, despite over a decade of crackdowns.

Shahira Amin

By Shahira Amin

Ahmed al-Mansour

Syria arrests Egyptian Islamist who threatened to overthrow Sisi

Wanted Egyptian Ahmed al-Mansour was arrested by Syria’s transitional authorities.

A man watches stock movements on a display at the Dubai Financial Market stock exchange in the Gulf emirate on April 12, 2022.

Analysis

Middle East IPOs shine in 2024 but face new challenges

Middle East IPOs hauled in over $13 billion in 2024, and the region also produced three of the year’s 10 largest listings worldwide.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Erdogan Sisi met in Cairo on Dec. 19

Turkey’s Erdogan in Egypt, holds first meeting with Sisi after Assad's fall

The Turkish and Egyptian leaders focused on Syrian reconstruction, humanitarian aid to Gaza and strengthening bilateral relations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) shakes hands with D-8 Secretary General Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, Cairo, Dec. 19, 2024.

Iran president pays rare visit to Egypt in latest sign of thawing ties

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to Cairo to attend a summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.