Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Cairo forum unites experts to address Middle East conflicts
Against a backdrop of mounting tensions and dramatic geopolitical shifts in the Middle East, the Arab and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate has inaugurated a monthly salon to foster serious dialogue on the region’s most pressing challenges. The first session, held under the theme “The Impact of Regional Conflicts on the Future of the Middle East,” brought together diplomats, political scientists, and key opinion leaders in Cairo today.
Welcoming a broad array of attendees, committee chair and veteran journalist Mohamed El-Sayed El-Shazly opened the evening by emphasizing the urgent need for in-depth analysis of the region’s complex and evolving crises.
“The Middle East stands at a decisive crossroads, witnessing unprecedented escalation in regional conflicts and tensions,” he stated. “Our salon aims to become a platform for meaningful discussion and a springboard for new ideas on achieving stability and prosperity,” he added, according to Youm7.
El-Shazly posed several pressing questions, including the viability of peace settlements versus further destabilization, the fate of the long-debated “New Middle East” project, and possible scenarios following a ceasefire in Gaza. He highlighted the pivotal role of the media in helping the public and decision-makers analyze these developments, as well as Egypt’s historic role in regional mediation.
In his address, Ambassador Mohamed Orabi, Chairman of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and a former foreign minister, underscored Egypt’s resilience amid ongoing crises. “Our region is more interconnected and volatile than ever. Issues now easily transcend borders, as seen most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts,” Orabi explained.
He warned of the dangers posed by non-state armed groups and the proliferation of foreign military bases, concerns exacerbated by the decline of strong state structures in some neighboring countries. Orabi insisted that Egypt’s steady leadership and strategic depth remain crucial for regional security—a point proven by its measured response to escalations in Gaza and elsewhere.
Offering a perspective on Israel’s position, former Ambassador to Israel Atef Salem suggested that Israel’s strength is often overestimated. “Israel relies fundamentally on external support and functions as a ‘service state’ for international interests,” Salem noted. He suggested the United States, if it wished, could influence major outcomes such as the war in Gaza.
Salem further highlighted Israel’s internal challenges, including disruptions to maritime trade from Houthi actions, the collapse of its tourism sector, and a growing trend of citizens emigrating—a set of issues less visible in global headlines.
Ambassador Salah Halima, Deputy Head of the Egyptian Council for African Affairs, voiced concerns over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s past proposals for a “New Middle East” envisioned with expanded Israeli borders, seeing them as a threat to the entire region. Halima called for a renewed international push for a fair two-state solution for Palestine, warning that Israel’s approach risks fueling further instability and could potentially target other regional powers, including Egypt.
Political scientist Dr. Tarek Fahmy cautioned against uncritically accepting narratives from Israeli and foreign sources, arguing that much of the anxiety and fear is manufactured to shape regional perceptions. He emphasized that policy think tanks, rather than political parties, are the real drivers of Israeli decision-making. Dr. Fahmy also pointed out that Israel’s real concern is not its regional adversaries, but Egypt’s growing influence and military presence in Sinai—a development that has not gone unnoticed in Israeli circles.
The salon concluded with an open discussion, engaging diplomats, academics, and journalists from across the region. Participants agreed on the need for holistic strategies to address the underlying drivers of instability and for strengthening regional dialogue.