Egypt’s energy diplomacy strengthens position abroad

Significance

Beirut and its Western backers have turned to Cairo for assistance in mitigating Lebanon’s energy crisis. President Abdel Fattah el Sisi seeks to leverage Egypt’s strategic location, infrastructure and natural gas reserves for political and financial gain amid global gas shortages and soaring prices.

Impacts

• Egypt aims to use gas as a way to show its importance but faces supply constraints.
• The EU and the United States reluctantly accept the Egyptian government as a better ally than the available alternatives.
• Egypt becoming an energy hub could play a small, but significant, role in helping Europe to reduce its chronic dependence on Russian gas.