Egypt’s Projection of Military Power in the Middle East

Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah, JCPA

• Egypt has abstained for more than 45 years from projecting its military forces as a component of its foreign policy.

• The Egyptian army lacked experience in fighting against paramilitary armed groups, or fighting inside cities and residential communities.

• Intelligence cooperation between Egypt and Israel was ongoing and enabled a strong challenge to the jihadists in the Sinai Peninsula. For the first time there was a convergence of interests between Israel and Egypt over the situation in the Sinai and in the Gaza Strip.

• After events in Sinai and Libya, President Sisi has demonstrated that he advocates the use of force and the projection of force in order to secure vital Egyptian national interests.

• Sisi considers Egypt and its moderate allies to be the victims of an effort by jihadiIslam and he advocates a united Arab effort to counter this danger.