Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez

Egyptian writer and journalist

Latest stories

The base next door: Egypt’s eastern border is in the crosshairs

Viewpoints_

Emptying Gaza is no longer just about dismantling Egypt’s first line of defense, it paves the way for a US military base on Cairo’s doorstep.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

The base next door: Egypt’s eastern border is in the crosshairs

Madbouly may go, the questions he leaves behind should not

Viewpoints_

After eight years of Madbouly’s tenure, replacing the cabinet changes nothing if the closed system of policy-making and zero public accountability remains untouched.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

Madbouly may go, the questions he leaves behind should not

Qom, Al-Azhar and a fractured language of unity

Viewpoints_

In the eyes of Qom, Al-Azhar’s latest stance disrupted more than rhetoric; it unsettled a carefully tended language of Islamic rapprochement.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

Qom, Al-Azhar and a fractured language of unity

The illusion of security: Why the Gulf cannot lead the Arab world alone

Viewpoints_

Five years after the “Gulf moment” was proclaimed, war with Iran and Israel’s expanding ambitions expose the limits of Gulf leadership and the fragility of US security guarantees

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

The illusion of security: Why the Gulf cannot lead the Arab world alone

Isolating Israel and the “counter-engineering” of the Middle East

Viewpoints_

Egypt–Turkey rapprochement has unsettled Tel Aviv, signaling a shift toward regional “counter-engineering” aimed at containing Israel’s project to dominate a fractured Middle East.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

Isolating Israel and the “counter-engineering” of the Middle East

Reproducing Mubarak’s last parliament

Viewpoints_

Egypt’s new parliament vote revives Mubarak-era fusion of money and power, sidelining voters and opposition and risking another shock born of rigged politics.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

Reproducing Mubarak’s last parliament

A belated awakening on the brink of disaster

Viewpoints_

Egypt’s belated recognition of Israel as an enduring threat sparks debate over peace, complacency, and national security.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

A belated awakening on the brink of disaster

Betrayed by the shepherd, who will the wolf devour after Doha?

Viewpoints_

The bombing of Doha exposes the collapse of the US security umbrella, revealing Israel as Washington’s true base and Gulf states as sheep guarded by the wolf.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

Betrayed by the shepherd, who will the wolf devour after Doha?

Heard, not read: How Egypt silences its media

Viewpoints_

Presidential pledges of free expression clash with reality as the Transport Ministry targets Veto for exposing its reliance on costly advisers.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

Heard, not read: How Egypt silences its media

Iran and the E3: Negotiations on a cliffedge

Politics_

Israel might be compelled to reconsider its position in a newly reshaped regional landscape it may struggle to navigate.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

Iran and the E3: Negotiations on a cliffedge

Trump–Netanyahu’s Gaza plan breaks Palestinian taboos

Politics_

Trump and Netanyahu seek to end the war with a deal built on exile, erasure, and power games—but Gaza’s reality, and resistance, refuse to fit the script.

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

Trump–Netanyahu’s Gaza plan breaks Palestinian taboos

Al-Sharaa’s calculus: Normalization at what cost?

Viewpoints_

Will Ahmed al-Sharaa agree to give up 15% of Syria’s territory to satisfy Donald Trump, who is eager to be photographed at a peace treaty signing between Tel Aviv and Damascus?

Mohamed Saad Abdel Hafeez_

Al-Sharaa’s calculus: Normalization at what cost?