By: Mohamed Abdelaziem Elchime
CAIRO, 1 February 2026: Egyptian foreign policy appeared to have accumulated a complex record, reflecting the turbulent nature of the region, the rapid shifts in the international order, and Egypt's enduring pursuit of national stability while maximizing its strategic margin of maneuver.
Throughout the year, Egyptian diplomacy navigated a regional environment fraught with crises—from the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the war in Sudan to the complexities in Libya, alongside challenges to Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean security, and global interactions shaped by the rise of multipolarity. Within this context, Egypt’s foreign policy harvest for 2025 can be analyzed through four main pillars: public discourse, the governing strategy of movement, crisis and position management, and future preparedness.
1. Public Discourse and Rhetoric
The public discourse of Egyptian foreign policy in 2025 was characterized by an emphasis on stability, responsibility, and strategic balance. In its official rhetoric, Egypt was keen to present itself as a "pillar of regional stability" in a volatile neighborhood—a state seeking de-escalation and preventing a descent into total chaos. This discourse consistently reaffirmed respect for state sovereignty, the rejection of military solutions, and the advocacy for comprehensive political settlements that safeguard the interests of both nations and their peoples. Furthermore, the Egyptian narrative maintained a firm stance on the Palestinian cause, stressing the centrality of the two-state solution, the necessity of a ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and the absolute rejection of forced displacement—principles Cairo ensured remained at the forefront of its international agenda.
2. Navigating the balance of global multipolarity alongside U.S. influence
Simultaneously, Egypt’s external discourse reflected an increasing awareness of the international regime's shifts toward attempts to balance global power with the United States. Cairo underscored on multiple occasions the importance of diversifying international partnerships, avoiding alignment with a single axis, and striving to build balanced relations with both established and emerging powers. This was evident in a diplomatic language that eschewed sharp polarization, favoring pragmatism and interest-based cooperation—whether in its dealings with the United States and Europe, Russia and China, or the rising powers in Asia and Africa.
3. The Strategy of "Comprehensive Diplomacy"
Regarding its primary strategy of movement, Egyptian foreign policy in 2025 continued to employ a "comprehensive diplomacy" approach, integrating political, security, and economic instruments. Diplomacy was no longer confined to political engagement; it became intrinsically linked to national security, investment attraction, energy security, and the reinforcement of Egypt’s role as a regional hub for transport and energy. Within this framework, Egypt worked to deepen its partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean and consolidate its position in regional energy equations, while simultaneously bolstering its presence across the African continent, particularly in development, infrastructure, and capacity-building projects.
4. The Multi-Circle Engagement Approach
The Egyptian strategy was also predicated on the principle of "multi-circle engagement," with Cairo simultaneously active within the Arab, African, Mediterranean, and international spheres. Within the Arab circle, Egypt sought to restore a greater degree of Arab coordination, particularly considering major crises threatening Arab national security.
In the African circle, Cairo continued its efforts to intensify political and economic involvement, recognizing the importance of its "African depth" in the Egyptian national security equation—whether regarding the Nile waters, Red Sea security, or counterterrorism. Internationally, Egypt was keen to bolster its presence in multilateral organizations, championing the interests of developing nations and calling for a reform of the global economic and financial system to make it more equitable.
5. Crisis Management and Regional Stances
On the level of crises and positions, Egyptian foreign policy in 2025 confronted a set of complex challenges, foremost among them the crisis in the Gaza Strip and its regional repercussions. Egypt played a pivotal role in mediation efforts, facilitating humanitarian aid, and communicating with international and regional stakeholders to contain escalation.
This role served as a test of Cairo's ability to balance national security considerations with its historical commitment to the Palestinian cause, while maintaining channels of communication with key global actors. Despite the difficulty of the landscape, this role reinforced Egypt's image as an indispensable mediator in any regional arrangements concerning the Palestinian Israeli conflict.
Similarly, the Sudanese crisis posed a highly sensitive challenge due to the geographical, demographic, and security interconnectedness between the two countries. Cairo adopted a stance supporting the unity of Sudan and its institutions, pushing for a political solution to end the bloodshed and prevent the state's fragmentation. Concurrently, Egypt managed the security and humanitarian fallout of the crisis with caution, particularly concerning the influx of refugees and the impact of the conflict on southern border security.
Regarding the Libyan file, Egypt maintained its policy of supporting a political solution and preserving the unity of the Libyan state, while rejecting foreign interferences that deepen division. Despite the relative stalemate that characterized the Libyan political process in 2025, Cairo kept communication channels open with various parties, cognizant of Libya's importance in the Egyptian national security equation—from the perspectives of counterterrorism, border control, and future economic cooperation.
As for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and Nile waters, this issue remained a priority in Egyptian foreign policy calculations, though Cairo’s movements were characterized by strategic restraint and a focus on diplomatic and legal avenues. Egypt continued to assert its right to the Nile waters, calling for a legally binding agreement that ensures mutual interests, while seeking to garner international and African support for its position without sliding into uncalculated escalation.
6. Future Preparedness and Strategic Resilience
Regarding preparedness for the future, Egyptian foreign policy at the end of 2025 reflects a clear realization that the coming phase will be more complex, driven by persistent regional turmoil and shifts in the global balance of power. Consequently, Egypt is focusing on enhancing its foreign policy resilience and expanding its base of strategic options. This includes investing in capacity building for Egyptian diplomacy, strengthening coordination between various state institutions, and aligning foreign policy with economic development goals.
Egypt is also preparing for the future by deepening partnerships with emerging powers in Asia and Africa and actively engaging in regional cooperation initiatives, particularly in renewable energy, food security, and supply chains. Cairo appears to be betting on playing an active role in reshaping regional arrangements once certain conflicts subside, leveraging its diplomatic expertise, geographical position, and institutional capabilities.
In summary, the harvest of Egyptian foreign policy in 2025 reflects a blend of continuity and adaptation. Continuity in fundamental constants related to national security, the Palestinian cause, and the rejection of chaos; and adaptation to a shifting international and regional reality that imposes new tools and different forms of engagement.
Navigating between challenges and opportunities, Egyptian foreign policy has chosen a path of equilibrium and pragmatism, seeking to protect national interests while contributing to a measure of stability in a region that remains far from calm.
Sun, Feb. 1, 2026
