Cairo: The "Strategic Balance" book, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlights Egypt's foreign policy over the past decade, emphasizing the enduring strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States. It describes the relationship as a model of a longstanding strategic partnership aimed at fostering development, stability, and peace.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Egyptian-US relations, which date back to 1922, have strengthened and deepened over the decades, addressing critical political and strategic interests for both nations. While the United States plays a leading role in global and regional affairs, Egypt occupies a pivotal position in the Middle East, Africa, the Islamic world, and among the nations of the Global South. Notably, Egypt is recognized as a key US ally outside NATO.
This bilateral relationship has witnessed numerous milestones, including the 1978 Camp David Agreement, the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, cooperation during the Gulf War in 1991, and coordination for the Madrid Peace Conference in 1991. More recently, the partnership has focused on enhancing regional stability and addressing crises across Syria, the Levant, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, the Red Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Horn of Africa.
The partnership has also expanded into military, economic, scientific, and cultural domains, encompassing areas such as energy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, trade, and private sector investment. It operates through a continuous institutional framework founded on shared interests and burden-sharing, remaining resilient despite changes in government or political divisions in the United States.
The past decade has been particularly pivotal for the relationship, especially after the political and regional developments between 2011 and 2013 and the events of June 30, 2013, in Egypt. Temporary divergences emerged regarding Egypt's political transition, but sustained dialogue restored institutional stability by early 2014, fostering a shared understanding of regional transformations.
Between 2017 and 2020, during President Donald Trump's first term, the partnership expanded through intensified summit diplomacy. Agreements were reached to strengthen cooperation in counterterrorism and regional stability. High-level meetings, including the US-Arab-Islamic Summit and UN General Assembly sessions, reflected renewed momentum in US engagement with Egypt.
From 2021 to 2025, efforts focused on consolidating the institutional and strategic dimensions of the partnership. Both countries maintained close cooperation in core areas, including counterterrorism, maritime security, combating illegal migration, and addressing ongoing crises. This period also saw unprecedented levels of bilateral communication and political coordination, particularly in response to the war in Gaza, where Egypt played a central role in mediating ceasefires and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian aid.
These efforts culminated in a joint presidential statement by Egypt, the United States, and Qatar, highlighting their coordinated mediation to achieve a ceasefire, end the conflict, and deliver sustained humanitarian assistance.