Sisi and the Gulf... A greeting that condensed history

The military salute extended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to his brothers in the Gulf was not merely a fleeting scene at the graduation ceremony of the Egyptian Military Academy, but a dense political and humanitarian message. It recalled a pivotal moment in modern Egyptian history and restored honor to Arab stances that supported the Egyptian state during one of its most difficult phases.

From the heart of the military establishment, amidst the symbolism of arms and discipline, el-Sisi chose to state clearly: "I will not be ashamed, nor will I hesitate, to offer my thanks and appreciation to our brothers in the Gulf." This phrase encapsulates the philosophy of loyalty to those who stood by Egypt, affirming that acknowledging the favors of these brothers does not diminish the state’s stature, but rather expresses confidence in its history and respect for its partners.

Notably, the President did not limit himself to expressing gratitude; he also recalled the details of the crisis his country faced following the events of 2011. He evoked what he described as the depletion of foreign currency reserves, economic contraction, fuel shortages, and highlighted the support provided by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait in the form of economic aid. He then addressed current obligations, emphasizing that Egypt does not seek a role merely for the sake of presence, but that it will not accept any infringement on the security and stability of Saudi Arabia. This conveys a message linking loyalty to the past with responsibility toward Gulf security today.

The reference to Kuwait holds particular significance; in July 2013, Kuwait announced the provision of aid to Egypt valued at four billion dollars. This stance reflects the depth of Kuwaiti-Egyptian relations and their extension across decades of political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation.

The significance of this support transcends its financial value; it came at a time when Egypt was facing severe economic challenges, making external aid one of the elements alleviating pressure. Furthermore, relations between the two countries are not defined by a single episode, but are grounded in a long history of ties, shared interests, and cooperation between the two peoples.

Thus, el-Sisi’s praise for Kuwait, alongside Saudi Arabia and the UAE, carries a meaning that goes beyond recalling the past. It affirms that stances taken during times of hardship remain an integral part of the capital of relations between states.

The speech did not stop at recalling Gulf support; it moved on to current developments. El-Sisi stated, "We are not looking for a role to play, but it is absolutely unacceptable that we allow the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its security, or its stability to be compromised."

He affirmed Egypt’s readiness to take necessary measures to protect the Kingdom and defend it if requested, in accordance with constitutional frameworks, while simultaneously calling for an end to the war and to extinguish the flames of conflict in the region.

This message reveals the interconnection between recalling past stances and affirming responsibility toward the security of brothers today. Gulf stability is linked to strategic Arab interests encompassing energy, trade, navigation, and regional security. Any escalation threatening these states could have repercussions that transcend geographical borders.

The most important aspect of el-Sisi’s speech is that he did not limit himself to expressing thanks; he also addressed Egyptians, warning them against forgetting Gulf stances, saying, "Never forget," indicating the necessity of preserving the memory of solidarity and not allowing insults circulating on social media to undermine historical bonds between peoples.

Acknowledging favors does not diminish a country’s stature; rather, it reflects respect for partners and appreciation for stances that provided support. Conversely, recalling the past should not turn into mere emotional rhetoric, but should serve as a catalyst to enhance economic, political, and security cooperation, thereby serving shared interests and enabling Arab relations to better withstand crises.

The Egyptian military’s salute to the Gulf states has reaffirmed that Arab relations are tested in times of hardship, and that true loyalty extends beyond mere words.

Amid Kuwait’s historic stance, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates’ support for Egypt, and Cairo’s message regarding Gulf security, the conclusion remains clear: Arab solidarity is not a fleeting favor, but a mutual responsibility, sustained by the memory of loyalty and empowered by present-day positions and the imperatives of the future.

An Egyptian writer