The Egyptian Political Scene Between Foreign Dependency and the Consolidation of Domestic Control and Transformations Awaiting Those Who Hold Power and Strength
(Translated)
Al-Rayah Newspaper - Issue 578 - 17/12/2025
By: Ustadh Saeed Fadl*

In recent days, the Egyptian arena has witnessed a series of moves and statements at the political, security, and economic levels, marked by the repetition of the same patterns: reassurance directed outwardly, artificially manufactured calm at home, and policies that further deepen the country’s dependence on international powers, particularly the United States and the European Union. The overall scenario reflects the state’s continued march along the same framework that has been shaped over decades: a system of governance built on safeguarding foreign interests, while containing the population through rigid security and economic instruments.

Presidential Statements: A Message Directed Outwardly, Not Domestically

Over the past few days, official statements issued by the Egyptian presidency have focused on three main axes:

1- Affirming Partnership with the United States and Europe

Official speeches have highlighted the regime’s keenness to emphasize that Egypt is a “reliable partner” in issues related to Eastern Mediterranean security, migration, Gaza, and energy. This type of discourse is primarily directed at Western capitals and underscores the regime’s continued presentation of itself as a guarantor of their geopolitical interests - even when those interests come at the expense of Egypt’s own national interests and the resources of its people.

2- Emphasizing “Stability” as a Pretext

The regime places strong emphasis on the phrase “preserving stability” as a justification for its security and economic policies. In reality, however, this slogan is used to stifle any discussion about mismanagement, foreign dependency, or growing public discontent.

3- Repeated Talk of “Economic Achievements”

The promotion of mega-projects, frequent inaugurations, and announcements of new agreements with foreign investors dominate the discourse. These statements usually follow every international report criticizing the economic situation, or after loan negotiations or new reviews by the IMF - making them closer to attempts at media image management than to genuine, substantive policies.

Regime Moves in Service of International Priorities

1- The Gaza Issue and the Rafah Border Crossing: In recent days, statements have been issued by a number of Egyptian officials speaking of “ongoing security coordination,” “the transfer of aid through designated points,” and “working with international partners to protect border stability.” These phrases reflect Egypt’s continued commitment to the vision of the United States and the Jewish entity regarding the management of the Rafah Border Crossing, rather than an independent administration that expresses a Shariah obligation toward the besieged people of Gaza.

It is also notable that there has been talk of new “security controls,” along with repeated assertions that opening the Rafah Border Crossing is conditional upon political agreements and the attribution of responsibility for the disruption of aid entry to “all parties.” All of this falls within the framework of managing the crisis in a manner that satisfies international actors, rather than adopting an ideological stance that supports the people of Gaza and lifts the injustice imposed upon them.

2- Engagement in Eastern Mediterranean Arrangements: The natural gas issue has once again come strongly to the forefront, including talk of trilateral cooperation with Mediterranean countries. These moves confirm that Egypt continues to accept the role of an “executor” within the framework of carving up Mediterranean resources, where major powers reap the benefits, while Egypt remains in the position of a subordinate party that merely provides facilitation.

3- Reproducing Reformist Rhetoric: Ministerial statements speak of “improving the business environment,” “restructuring subsidies,” and “reducing the deficit.” These are familiar roles demanded of the regime, as part of compliance with the International Monetary Fund conditions — conditions that perpetuate the crisis, rather than address its root causes.

In recent days, there has also been noticeable media activity by security officials warning against “attempts to exploit the economic situation” and calling for support of the state. This discourse aims to deter any popular movement, and to present the security apparatus as a safety valve, thereby covering up rising domestic tensions and any security handling of them. At the same time, the language of challenges and threats is used to justify the continued security grip and control over the public domain.

Reading the Scenario

1- The Nature of the Current State

Careful observation shows that the state does not exercise real authority. Instead, it acts as a political, security, and economic agent for the West, submitting to its conditions in every major and minor matter.

Independent authority is not merely the raising of a flag or the existence of geographic nationalistic borders; it is the ability to make independent decisions, a system of governance derived from the ideology of the Ummah, and policies that are not subject to foreign will — all of which are absent.

2- Participation in the Gaza Siege

The Shariah obligation toward Gaza — or toward any Islamic land under aggression — is to offer support, not to facilitate or participate in security arrangements that keep the siege in place. The reality reveals that the management of the Rafah Border Crossing is not an independent domestic decision. Instead, it is part of security and political understandings with the United States and the Jewish entity.

3- Continued Economic Subordination

Loans and agreements tied to foreign dictates are merely a means of tightening control over the country by linking its economy to international institutions. An economy based on borrowing and revenue extraction can neither thrive nor build real strength.

4- True Legitimacy Is Not in the So-Called “Stability”

Real stability is based on justice, the removal of oppression, and the care of people’s affairs according to Islamic Shariah rulings - not through a security grip or reassurances directed at foreign major powers.

Based on current indicators, the following can be expected:

1- Deepening foreign dependency in regional issues, particularly Gaza, Libya, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Red Sea.

2- Continued economic pressures, with increasing waves of taxes, fees, and subsidy cuts, in response to the demands of donors and international institutions.

3- Tightening of the security grip, especially amid rising public anger and growing discontent.

4- Escalation of propaganda narratives: Media outlets will continue promoting achievements and projects, while daily reality grows increasingly harsh for ordinary people.

The scene in Egypt over recent days is no different from the broader context it has experienced for years: official moves aligned with Western policies, domestic management through security measures, and political and media exploitation of economic discourse to pacify public anger. All of this unfolds amid the absence of an independent political project and the absence of a system that reflects the identity of the Ummah, is grounded in the Shariah rulings of Islam, and places loyalty to Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) above loyalty to donors or Western circles.

Amid this scenario, the role of a faction that has never left its place in the collective memory of the Ummah comes to the forefront: the soldiers of Egypt al-Kinanah, the people of power, strength, and military support (nussrah). Amidst policies that shackle the country, dependencies that tighten the noose, and decisions made in response to foreign pressure rather than the needs of the people, true power remains in the hands of the soldiers of Al-Kinanah.

O Soldiers: The Ummah that has offered its sons within your ranks, and that sees in you its impregnable fortress, awaits from you a stance worthy of the responsibility Allah (swt) has placed upon your shoulders to be supporters of truth when it weakens, a shield for the people when they are oppressed, and a sword for justice when it is assassinated. You know better than anyone that the path toward which the country is being driven today with its foreign dependency, the squandering of the Ummah’s causes, and the containment of the Deen to serve politics can neither be reconciled with your Shariah obligation, nor with the trust you bore on the day you chose to be soldiers of this Ummah.

History is neither changed by political speeches nor by mortgaging economic plans. History changes when a force moves that gives people hope, and restores what has been severed from the Ummah, its Aqeedah, and its project of dignity. That force is within your hands, the Ummah stands around you, and the moment is calling upon you.

O Allah (swt), restore for us the State of Islam, its authority and its Shariah Law, so that we may once again shelter under its shade a Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly-Guided Caliphate) on the Method of Prophethood.

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اسْتَجِيبُواْ لِلّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُم لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ]

“O believers! Respond to Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) when he (saw) makes Dawah to you towards that which gives you life.” [TMQ Surah Al-Anfal: 24]

* Member of the Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Egypt