CIA Director John Ratcliffe meets President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo amid regional turmoil
U.S. CIA chief John Ratcliffe held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, discussing the wars in Iran, Gaza, Sudan and maritime security threats.
On September 20, CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Cairo for a rare discussion with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, accompanied by Egypt’s spy chief Hassan Rashad. The agenda covered the ongoing wars in Iran, the Gaza Strip and Sudan, alongside recent attacks on Gulf nations and threats to maritime security in the Red Sea. Al-Sisi stressed that resolving regional crises through political and diplomatic channels is paramount.
The talks came shortly after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met al-Sisi, where both leaders urged secure navigation through the Bab al-Mandab strait following a swift Houthi seizure of part of the Yemeni coast. The U.S. State Department has warned of a rapid escalation in the Middle East conflict, noting disruptions to air and marine traffic and oil prices climbing past $100 a barrel.
Why it matters
The dialogue signals U.S. and Egyptian coordination on volatile Middle East conflicts and maritime security.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey launch Mecca Defence Alliance, secretariat set in Riyadh
- Sep 4 The Security Council is set to vote on extending the sanctions expert panel on September 17.
- Sep 9 Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired ballistic missiles at US Navy vessels twice in two days, while US forces evaded and kept patrolling, prompting worries that China or Russia may have supplied targeting data.
- Sep 9 The IAEA board voted to refer Iran to the UN Security Council.
- Sep 10 UN Security Council scheduled a vote on extending the expert panel that assists the sanctions committee on Iran.
- Sep 10 Trump warned of a possible strike at a midterm Republican gathering.
- Sep 13 Iran’s use of Chinese high‑resolution satellite photos for the July Jordan base strike was disclosed.
- Sep 13 Pakistan reiterated that no immediate military response under the Makkah pact is being discussed.
- Sep 14 Trump said the United States and China spy on each other and downplayed the claim that Chinese firms gave Iran the images.
- Sep 16 The House of Representatives voted 220-204 to adopt a resolution that orders President Trump to end the ongoing war in Iran, marking a rare bipartisan effort. Seven Republicans—Thomas Massie (KY), Tom Barrett (MI), Warren Davidson (OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Nancy Mace (SC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA) and Zach Nunn (IA)—joined Democrats in supporting the measure, three more than in prior votes. Rep. Jason Crow led the push, emphasizing that both parties are fed up with the conflict, now in its seventh month. On the same day, Rep. Massie, who lost his primary, filed impeachment articles against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing him of executing unlawful war orders. Public sentiment remains strongly against the war, with an Ipsos poll indicating 71% of Americans favor withdrawal. The resolution reflects growing congressional pressure to rein in presidential war powers.
- Sep 16 Seven Republicans voted for the resolution, three more than in earlier votes.
- Sep 17 U.S. intelligence officials warn that the planned sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia may enable China to obtain classified radar and intelligence systems.
- Sep 17 Washington has moved from earlier concerns to signaling support for the Saudi F‑35 package.
- Sep 18 State Department formally informed Congress of the intended sale.
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