Egypt Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! === Military and foreign relations === {{Main|Egyptian Armed Forces|Foreign relations of Egypt}} [[File:Defense.gov photo essay 090421-N-0696M-106.jpg|thumb|left|Egyptian honour guard soldiers during a visit of U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen]] The military is influential in the political and economic life of Egypt and exempts itself from laws that apply to other sectors. It enjoys considerable power, prestige and independence within the state and has been widely considered part of the Egyptian "[[State within a state|deep state]]".<ref name="nytimes.com" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Cambanis|first=Thanassis|title=Succession Gives Army a Stiff Test in Egypt|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/world/middleeast/12egypt.html|access-date=11 September 2010|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=11 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503082713/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/world/middleeast/12egypt.html|archive-date=3 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://carnegie-mec.org/2015/04/15/egyptian-armed-forces-and-remaking-of-economic-empire |title=The Egyptian Armed Forces and the Remaking of an Economic Empire |publisher=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] |date=15 April 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |author=Marshall, Shana |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709153851/http://carnegie-mec.org/2015/04/15/egyptian-armed-forces-and-remaking-of-economic-empire |archive-date=9 July 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Egypt is speculated by Israel to be the second country in the region with a [[spy satellite]], [[EgyptSat 1]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Yaacov|url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=48099|title=Egypt to launch first spy satellite|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=15 January 2007}}</ref> in addition to [[EgyptSat 2]] launched on 16 April 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1404/16egyptsat2/ |title=Egyptian reconnaissance satellite launched by Soyuz |author=Stephen Clark |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=16 April 2014 |access-date=18 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419013018/http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1404/16egyptsat2/ |archive-date=19 April 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{multiple image | width1 = 185 | width2 = 185 | direction = vertical | footer = '''Top''': Former President [[Hosni Mubarak]] with former US President [[George W. Bush]] at Camp David in 2002.<br/>'''Bottom''': President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]] and Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] in Sochi, August 2014. | image1 = Hosni Mubarak with George W. Bush.jpg | image2 = Sisi and Putin meeting on 16 August 2014 (1).jpg }} The [[Egypt–United States relations|United States]] provides Egypt with annual [[United States Foreign Military Financing|military assistance]], which in 2015 amounted to US$1.3 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/31/obama-restores-us-military-aid-to-egypt |title=Obama restores US military aid to Egypt over Islamic State concerns |date=31 March 2015 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=14 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214044811/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/31/obama-restores-us-military-aid-to-egypt |archive-date=14 December 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1989, Egypt was designated as a [[major non-NATO ally]] of the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/07/09/the-u-s-gives-egypt-1-5-billion-a-year-in-aid-heres-what-it-does/ |title=The U.S. gives Egypt $1.5 billion a year in aid. Here's what it does. |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=9 July 2013 |access-date=26 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715231259/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/07/09/the-u-s-gives-egypt-1-5-billion-a-year-in-aid-heres-what-it-does/ |archive-date=15 July 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, ties between the two countries have partially soured since the [[2013 Egyptian coup d'état|July 2013 overthrow]] of Islamist president [[Mohamed Morsi]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33003.pdf |title=Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations |publisher=Congressional Research Service |date=5 June 2014 |access-date=8 October 2014 |author=Sharp, Jeremy M. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909045135/http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33003.pdf |archive-date=9 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> with the [[Obama administration]] denouncing Egypt over its crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, and cancelling future military exercises involving the two countries.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-protests-obama-idUSBRE97E0N020130816 |title=Obama cancels military exercises, condemns violence in Egypt |work=Reuters |date=15 August 2013 |access-date=8 October 2014 |author1=Holland, Steve |author2=Mason, Jeff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014033253/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/16/us-egypt-protests-obama-idUSBRE97E0N020130816 |archive-date=14 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> There have been recent attempts, however, to normalise relations between the two, with both governments frequently calling for mutual support in the [[War on Terror|fight against regional and international terrorism]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32490624 |title=Business as usual for Egypt and the West |publisher=BBC |date=7 May 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |author=Iqbal, Jawad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801140720/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32490624 |archive-date=1 August 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29186686 |title=Egypt 'has key role' in fight against Islamic State – Kerry |publisher=BBC |date=13 September 2014 |access-date=18 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004225725/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29186686 |archive-date=4 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-sisi-idUSBREA4E07X20140515 |title=Exclusive: Egypt's Sisi asks for U.S. help in fighting terrorism |work=Reuters |date=15 May 2014 |access-date=18 October 2014 |author1=Adler, Stephen |author2=Mably, Richard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023014039/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/15/us-egypt-sisi-idUSBREA4E07X20140515 |archive-date=23 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, following [[2016 United States presidential election|the election]] of [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Donald Trump]] as the [[President of the United States]], the two countries were looking to improve the [[Egypt-United States relations|Egyptian-American relations]]. On 3 April 2017 al-Sisi met with Trump at the White House, marking the first visit of an Egyptian president to Washington in 8 years. Trump praised al-Sisi in what was reported as a public relations victory for the Egyptian president, and signaled it was time for a normalisation of the relations between Egypt and the US.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/03/world/middleeast/-egypt-sisi-trump-white-house.html|title=Trump Shifts Course on Egypt, Praising Its Authoritarian Leader|last1=Baker|first1=Peter|date=3 April 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=10 February 2019|last2=Walsh|first2=Declan|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215120743/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/03/world/middleeast/-egypt-sisi-trump-white-house.html|archive-date=15 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Relations with [[Egypt–Russia relations|Russia]] have improved significantly following Mohamed Morsi's removal<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/08/russia-egypt-putin-sisi-visit-ukraine-palestine.html |title=Russia, Egypt draw closer |publisher=Al-Monitor |date=13 August 2014 |access-date=8 October 2014 |author=Naumkin, Vitaly |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817094408/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/08/russia-egypt-putin-sisi-visit-ukraine-palestine.html |archive-date=17 August 2014 }}</ref> and both countries have worked since then to strengthen military<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-egypt-arms-idUSKBN0HC19T20140917 |title=Russia, Egypt seal preliminary arms deal worth $3.5 billion: agency |work=Reuters |date=17 September 2014 |access-date=8 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014032747/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/17/us-russia-egypt-arms-idUSKBN0HC19T20140917 |archive-date=14 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> and trade ties<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/russia-boost-wheat-supplies-egypt-mulls-free-trade-144820576--sector.html |title=Russia to boost trade with Egypt after Western food ban |work=Yahoo News |date=12 August 2014 |access-date=8 October 2014 |author=Anishchuk, Alexei |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014204101/http://news.yahoo.com/russia-boost-wheat-supplies-egypt-mulls-free-trade-144820576--sector.html |archive-date=14 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> among other aspects of bilateral co-operation. [[China–Egypt relations|Relations with China]] have also improved considerably. In 2014, Egypt and [[China]] established a bilateral "comprehensive strategic partnership".<ref>"[https://thediplomat.com/2014/12/chinas-egypt-opportunity/ China's Egypt Opportunity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927040951/https://thediplomat.com/2014/12/chinas-egypt-opportunity/ |date=27 September 2015 }}". ''[[The Diplomat]]''. 24 December 2014</ref> The permanent [[headquarters of the Arab League|headquarters]] of the [[Arab League]] are located in Cairo and the body's secretary general has traditionally been Egyptian. This position is currently held by former foreign minister [[Ahmed Aboul Gheit]]. The Arab League briefly moved from Egypt to [[Tunis]] in 1978 to protest the [[Egypt–Israel peace treaty]], but it later returned to Cairo in 1989. Gulf monarchies, including the [[Egypt–United Arab Emirates relations|United Arab Emirates]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/saudi-arabia-uae-prop-egypt-5bn-aid-boost-1469781 |title=Saudi Arabia and UAE to Prop Up Egypt With $5bn Aid Boost |website=International Business Times |date=13 October 2014 |access-date=17 October 2014 |author=Wilson, Nigel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019104420/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/saudi-arabia-uae-prop-egypt-5bn-aid-boost-1469781 |archive-date=19 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Egypt–Saudi Arabia relations|Saudi Arabia]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323423804579020510228645356 |title=Saudi King Offers Support to Egyptian Military |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=18 August 2013 |access-date=17 October 2014 |author=Knickmeyer, Ellen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411064245/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323423804579020510228645356 |archive-date=11 April 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> have pledged billions of dollars to help Egypt overcome its economic difficulties since the overthrow of Morsi.<ref>"[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/saudi-king-abdullah-visits-egypt-sisi-2014620183031132590.html Saudi King Abdullah visits Egypt's Sisi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207125944/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/saudi-king-abdullah-visits-egypt-sisi-2014620183031132590.html |date=7 February 2015 }}". Al-Jazeera. 20 June 2014.</ref> [[File:President Biden met with President El-Sisi of Egypt at the margins of COP27.jpg|thumb|left|President el-Sisi with US President [[Joe Biden]], 11 November 2022]] Following the [[Yom Kippur War|1973 war]] and the subsequent peace treaty, Egypt became the first Arab nation to establish [[Egypt–Israel relations|diplomatic relations]] with Israel. Despite that, Israel is still widely considered as a hostile state by the majority of Egyptians.<ref>"Massive Israel protests hit universities" (Egyptian Mail, 16 March 2010) "According to most Egyptians, almost 31 years after a peace treaty was signed between Egypt and Israel, having normal ties between the two countries is still a potent accusation and Israel is largely considered to be an enemy country"</ref> Egypt has played a historical role as a mediator in resolving various disputes in the Middle East, most notably its handling of the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]] and the [[Israeli–Palestinian peace process|peace process]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Middle East Contemporary Survey: 1995, Volume 19; Volume 1995 |publisher=Moshe Dayan Center |author=Maddy-Weitzmann, Bruce |year=1997 |page=265 |isbn=978-0-8133-3411-0}}</ref> Egypt's ceasefire and truce brokering efforts in [[Gaza–Israel conflict|Gaza]] have hardly been challenged following [[Israel]]'s evacuation of its settlements from the strip in 2005, despite increasing animosity towards the [[Hamas government in Gaza]] following the ouster of Mohamed Morsi,<ref>"[http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/31/world/meast/israel-gaza-region/ This time, Gaza fighting is 'proxy war' for entire Mideast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016064226/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/31/world/meast/israel-gaza-region/ |date=16 October 2014 }}". CNN News. 1 August 2014.</ref> and despite recent attempts by countries like Turkey and Qatar to take over this role.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/08/13/the_sisi_doctrine_egypt_policy_gaza_israel_iraq |title=The Sisi Doctrine |work=Foreign Policy |date=13 August 2014 |access-date=8 October 2014 |author=Hanna, Michael W. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013192647/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/08/13/the_sisi_doctrine_egypt_policy_gaza_israel_iraq |archive-date=13 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ties between Egypt and other non-Arab Middle Eastern nations, including [[Egypt–Iran relations|Iran]] and [[Egypt–Turkey relations|Turkey]], have often been strained. Tensions with Iran are mostly due to Egypt's peace treaty with Israel and Iran's rivalry with traditional Egyptian allies in the Gulf.<ref>{{cite book |title=Egyptian Foreign Policy: Against the National Interest |publisher=[[Routledge]] |author=Shama, Nael |year=2013 |pages=129–131}}</ref> Turkey's recent support for the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and its alleged involvement in [[Libyan Civil War (2014–present)|Libya]] also made both countries bitter regional rivals.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/turkey/2015-03-08/turkey-and-egypts-great-game-middle-east |title=Turkey and Egypt's Great Game in the Middle East |magazine=[[Foreign Affairs]] |date=8 March 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |author1=Cagaptay, Soner |author2=Sievers, Marc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623024158/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/turkey/2015-03-08/turkey-and-egypts-great-game-middle-east |archive-date=23 June 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Egypt is a founding member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and the [[United Nations]]. It is also a member of the {{Lang|fr|[[Organisation internationale de la francophonie]]}}, since 1983. Former Egyptian [[Deputy Prime Minister]] [[Boutros Boutros-Ghali]] served as [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] from 1991 to 1996. In 2008, Egypt was estimated to have two million African refugees, including over 20,000 Sudanese nationals registered with UNHCR as refugees fleeing armed conflict or asylum seekers. Egypt adopted "harsh, sometimes lethal" methods of border control.<ref>{{cite web|title=Desperate on the Border|author=Soussi, Alasdair|work=Jerusalem Report|date=9 November 2008|url=http://www.jpost.com/JerusalemReport/Article.aspx?id=119897|access-date=30 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031064451/http://www.jpost.com/JerusalemReport/Article.aspx?id=119897|archive-date=31 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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