Sisi keeps a lid on
Egyptians face another four years of authoritarian rule
"I want 10 Zohrs," joked President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi in front of the television cameras at the official ceremony marking the start of the gas project. The reflected glory from even one more find on the scale of Zohr would, in normal circumstances, be no bad thing for a head of state seeking re-election. But Sisi needs no such lucky charm. With or without another Zohr he knows that when the votes are counted after the elections in late March he'll begin another term as Egypt's president. This is because, for a variety of reasons, all serious challengers have either decided, or been strongly persuaded, to drop out. Only one weak candidate is standing against him—presumably to give the poll
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices






