Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Should Israel be concerned about Egypt’s massive new ‘Octagon’ military command headquarters?

Egypt’s vast new command complex has drawn Israeli scrutiny, but security coordination, Gaza border interests, and the 1979 peace treaty still give both countries strong reasons to avoid a rupture.

|ByKEREN SETTON/THE MEDIA LINE
Aerial photograph of Egypt's Octagon, July 5, 2026.
A GREEK Orthodox priest holds up a bible during the Holy Friday service at the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St George in Coptic Cairo on May 3, 2024.

Christian converts still face discrimination, arrests in Egypt, US State Dept. confirms

American estimates suggest that around 10% of Egypt’s population was Christian as of 2022, though the exact figures are difficult to gather, as noted by the report.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi takes part in a welcoming ceremony upon his arrival at an airport in Moscow, Russia, May 8, 2025.

Egypt backs Saudi Arabia as Sisi condemns Iran attacks on Gulf states

In the meeting, the leaders discussed the challenges facing the region amid the current clashes with Iran.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Residents wave Somali flags as they attend a rally denouncing Israel’s recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region, during a gathering calling for Somalia’s territorial unity, in Mogadishu, Dec. 30.

Egypt boosts commitment to Somalia’s stability with new military deployment - analysis

As part of its efforts to enhance "security and stability," Egypt is sending additional forces to Somalia.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN