What an Egyptian-Iranian Thaw Would Mean for U.S. Foreign Policy in the Region

Mar 4, 2017
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About the Authors
Haisam Hassanein

Haisam Hassanein was an Associate Fellow at The Washington Institute. Previously, he was the Institute's 2016-2017 Glazer Fellow, in which he focused on economic relations between Israel and Arab states. He has published in several media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs

Articles & Testimony

If Washington fails to address Egypt's financial problems, its dispute with Saudi Arabia, and its over-emphasis on the dangers of Sunni Islamism, then American efforts to contain Iran could be in jeopardy.

The Trump administration has adopted an aggressive approach towards Iran. It seeks to establish a unified front of Arab Sunni states against Iranian ambitions and actions in the region. This united front shall confront Iranian meddling in the Gulf, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Egypt's gradual shift toward Iran is likely to hinder this American-led alliance. The primary drivers for the reversal of the Egyptian foreign policy are Egypt's fear of Sunni Islamism, Egypt's desire to re-position itself as the regional power, and its deep financial crisis...

Read the full article on the Hill website.

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Topics

Arab & Islamic Politics

Regions & Countries

Egypt Iran North Africa