When Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi used his well-known phrase “just a step away” years ago, referring to his country’s readiness to defend Arab national security, he did not expect to face a real test and a difficult dilemma that could cost him dearly.

Tensions in Egyptian-Gulf relations, against the backdrop of the ongoing war against Iran and Iranian strikes targeting countries in the region, have escalated from discontent to suspicion, disagreement and possibly a reassessment in the near future.

Assessments within ruling circles in Gulf capitals reflect negative views of Egypt’s position, amid what is described as “abandonment” and a lack of solidarity by a strategic ally that has received tens of billions of dollars, as well as significant political and diplomatic support, particularly from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, to consolidate its rule following the military coup of 3rd July 2013.

“When Arab national security faces a real threat and we are called upon, we will be right there; we are just a step away,” was one of El-Sisi’s most notable statements in May 2014, when he was a presidential candidate. The phrase was repeated in subsequent speeches and statements, raising expectations of the strategic ally holding power in Egypt, now serving a third presidential term extending until 2030.

When the Israeli-American war on Iran began on 28th February and quickly escalated on the same day to include Iranian strikes on US bases in Gulf capitals, Cairo appeared unsettled and possibly wary of being drawn into the conflict, or perhaps in a wait-and-see position to gauge its direction and outcomes.

The “quiet diplomacy” that underpins Egyptian foreign policy has not aligned with a heated and highly complex regional and international situation affecting Gulf and Arab security.

The “quiet diplomacy” that underpins Egyptian foreign policy has not aligned with a heated and highly complex regional and international situation affecting Gulf and Arab security.

This was evident in the delayed tour by the Egyptian president to the UAE and Qatar on 19th March, followed by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on 21st March, without including Kuwait and Oman for unknown reasons.

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The situation was further complicated by the Eid Al-Fitr sermon attended by the Egyptian president, which sparked widespread controversy after it........

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