Newsweek

Why the Trump, el-Sissi Romance Might Not Last in Egypt

Egyptian-American affairs have long been characterized by wild swings and ruptures.
In recent years, Egypt's el-Sissi has moved closer to Russia because he views his American counterpart, Barack Obama, with distrust.
12_23_Egypt_01

The life-size cutout of Hillary Clinton looked lonely. On November 8, at the U.S. Embassy’s presidential election night bash in Cairo, dozens of young Egyptians gathered in a cavernous hotel ballroom to pose with a cardboard effigy of Clinton’s opponent, Donald Trump. Despite the New York mogul’s call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States, Trump is popular here, at least among government supporters. So when the Apprentice star swept the American heartland for a shocking victory, many in the Egyptian capital cheered the result.

Among them: President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, the first foreign leader to congratulate Trump. His budding bromance with the Donald stands in contrast to his relationship with outgoing from Vladimir Putin for the country’s first nuclear power plant.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Newsweek

Newsweek1 min read
Shadows and Light
The solar eclipse, seen here behind the Statue of Liberty on April 8, helped brighten up the U.S. economy. New York City, which was not on the path of totality, enjoyed 90 percent coverage as the moon passed in front of the sun. The Perryman Group es
Newsweek7 min read
The Secret to Being an ADHD Whisperer
Penn and Kim Holderness are widely celebrated for their entertaining viral parody videos (singing included!) on topics ranging from parenting and helping kids with homework and masking up for the pandemic (to the tune of the Hamilton soundtrack) to “
Newsweek1 min readPolitical Ideologies
Polls Panic
A soldier guards electoral kits on April 10 ahead of Ecuador’s referendum. Voters go to the polls on April 21 in a bid to reform the constitution and tackle security issues as the country struggles to control organized crime. Mexico has called for Ec

Related Books & Audiobooks