Central to the expansion of Chinese and Russian influence via Iran into the space in the Middle East vacated by the U.S. since former U.S. President Donald Trump initiated a pullback from the region is the ongoing rollout of a pan-regional power network. This complements and augments existing oil and gas development and transport links between Iran and Iraq and then into the rest of the Iran-controlled Shia Crescent of Power and beyond, further necessitating as it does the installation of extensive permanent infrastructure connected to the network and extensive permanent security personnel to protect these assets. In this context, Egypt’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister, Mohammed Shaker, stated last week that his country is seeking to strengthen its electricity exchange with its neighbours as part of plans to become a regional energy hub. There are two key factors relating to Egypt that make it an especially valuable addition […]