Publication

This commentary explains the growing split between Egypt and Saudi Arabia/the United Emirates. The reasons behind the estrangement include 1) the parties’ divergent stances on Syria; 2) Riyadh’s rapprochement with the Muslim Brotherhood; 3) low oil prices; 4) Egypt’s internal paralysis, and more. However, as Riyadh’s and Abu Dhabi’s financial gifts to Cairo shrink, the EU and Germany may have the opportunity to bridge the gap and influence Egypt’s development via conditional aid.