In Alaa al-Aswany’s New Novel, Dictatorship Keeps Winning
“Republic of False Truths” defers any happy ending to the Arab Spring.
Can Enemies Become Allies in the Fight Against Climate Change?
There are many incentives for cross-border military cooperation—even among adversaries—as climate change worsens.
How the Red Sea Became a Trap
From piracy to the Ever Given, colonialism left hard scars.
It’s Time for Biden to Get Tough on Sisi
Washington should refuse a security waiver and block $300 million in military assistance to Egypt until Cairo cleans up its act on human rights.
Only Washington Can Save the Renaissance Dam Negotiations Now
Since Ethiopia has hampered negotiations, Egypt needs the United States to preserve its access to the Nile.
Is History Coming for Sisi’s Regime?
The clearest perspective on Egypt’s current military ruler is offered by a dissident who has seen previous ones rise—and fall.
Sisi Learned the Wrong Lessons From Mubarak’s Fall
Wanton repression is building up more pressure for the next uprising.
Sisi’s Last Stand
The Egyptian president enjoyed relative impunity during the Trump years. Now, an uptick in repression at home—and criticism from abroad—may end up spelling his downfall.
Italy’s Mediterranean Belt and Road
Taking a page from Beijing, Rome is positioning itself as the center of trade, energy, and transportation in Southern Europe and beyond.
The Capitol Invasion Was a Coup From Below
Trump borrowed from the playbook of his favorite dictator, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, by inciting a mob to launch an insurrection.
Betrayed by Their Leaders, Failed by the West, Arabs Still Want Democracy
The Arab world is trapped in a state of permanent revolution.
Ethiopia Needs the United States to Act as an Honest Broker in the Nile Dam Dispute
As East Africa faces a triple crisis from COVID-19, floods, and locusts, cutting U.S. aid to the Ethiopian government is not the solution. Neutral mediation to resolve the GERD dispute can result in a win-win situation.
Egypt’s Sisi Intensifies Crackdown on Rights Advocates in Waning Days of Trump Administration
Trump’s “favorite dictator” is racing the clock to jail more political opponents. Will things be different under Biden?
What Trump’s Loss Means for Authoritarian Leaders
From Cairo to Riyadh, autocrats are nervous about what a Biden administration might mean for their relationship with Washington.
Welcome to a Brand-New Middle East
Israel’s pacts with the UAE and Bahrain go far beyond the tenuous “cold peace” with Egypt and Jordan. They could even help end the conflict with the Palestinians.
Ethiopia’s Power Play on the Nile Has Left the Region in a Deadlock
As long as the Renaissance Dam remains an instrument in Ethiopia’s bid to control the Blue Nile, negotiations are doomed.
The African Union Needs to Resolve Ethiopia’s Dam Dispute
U.S. diplomacy has failed. African diplomacy can’t afford to.
The Ethiopian-Egyptian Water War Has Begun
The conflict between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has already started. It’s just happening in cyberspace.
UAE Deal Boosts Israeli Oil Pipeline Secretly Built With Iran
The Jewish state is about to play a much bigger role in the region’s energy trade and petroleum politics.
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