Newsletter: Gulf MBS visits Egypt as Houthi attacks escalate Squeezed by Houthi advances in the south and attacks on its main pipeline from the north, Riyadh is combining military pressure, regional coordination and diplomacy. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Saudi Arabia’s MBS visits Egypt as Red Sea crisis with Houthis escalates Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits Egypt at a time the kingdom faces repeated Houthi attacks, while the Iranian-backed rebels close in on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, threatening maritime security. Egypt
Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know Three leading Turkish defense companies are participating in the El Alamein Airshow as Ankara seeks new sales and closer military-industrial cooperation with Egypt. Turkey
Newsletter: FutureVerse China holds its ground in Middle East AI race Last Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Egypt for the first time in a decade, with the trip coinciding with efforts by Beijing to expand its AI footprint in the country. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How Ethiopia’s new dams test Egypt’s ability to defend its Nile red lines By Eli Siegel-Bernstein
What the Egyptian Cabinet reshuffle means In a bid to revive his Cabinet’s role before addressing the parliament to earn confidence, Egyptian Prime Minister Sharif Ismail yielded to the parliament’s demands and announced a Cabinet reshuffle that included 10 portfolios. Egypt
Are ships really avoiding the Suez? Falling oil prices do not necessarily spell disaster for the Suez Canal. Egypt
Will Egypt-Hamas fallout hurt Palestinian reconciliation? Hamas appears to be making an effort to repair relations with Egypt, but it’s unclear whether the road runs both ways. Palestine
MP says Iran shuttered embassies over lack of funding According to one Iranian parliamentarian, financial issues were behind Iran's closing of a number of embassies, for which the Foreign Ministry has long complained of a lack of funding. Saudi Arabia
Egyptian state takes on independent trade unions After Egypt recently declared independent trade unions invalid, many groups said they will fight the decision on the grounds that it violates the constitution. Egypt
Has there been a breakthrough in Hamas-Egypt ties? A Hamas visit to Egypt ended on a positive note, which might push the Egyptians to stop the incitement campaign against the movement. Palestine
Egypt's NGOs face 'orchestrated, escalating' assault from authorities A widening security crackdown on civil society organizations and activists has left many in Egypt pessimistic about the future. Egypt
Is Israel key to solving Renaissance Dam crisis? Ousted parliamentarian Tawfik Okasha still faces fierce criticism from his government for getting too close to Israel, in the ongoing Renaissance Dam saga — but could Egypt need Israel more than they are willing to admit? Egypt
Why was Egypt's justice minister really fired? Egyptian Justice Minister Ahmed al-Zind was removed from his post following remarks deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad — but politics may be the real culprit. Egypt
New campaign against face veil sparks controversy in Egypt Mohamed Attiya, the founder of the "Ban the niqab" campaign, speaks to Al-Monitor about why he supports banning niqabs in state institutions despite the criticism the campaign has received. Egypt
Vessels willing to go the distance to avoid Suez canal tariffs Egyptian authorities, who recently inaugurated the East Port Said side channel of the Suez Canal project, say they’re not concerned by reports of vessels using alternate routes. Egypt
Leader of Egypt's Kefaya movement laments state of human rights George Isaac, founder of the Kefaya movement and a member of the National Council for Human Rights, speaks to Al-Monitor about human rights in Egypt and his views on reform. Egypt
