Egypt Daily News – Recent comments by several prominent Egyptian media figures warning of impending “conspiracies” and “shocking changes” have sparked widespread debate on social media, with calls for clarification on the meaning behind these vague warnings and what kind of transformations the region may be facing.
The media remarks included cautions about “pressure” on Egypt and urged the public to “stand united,” “support the army,” and “avoid division.” These comments hinted at rising tensions in Egypt-U.S. relations, reportedly tied to Cairo’s rejection of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians, as well as Egypt’s decision not to participate in military operations against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
However, none of the media figures disclosed details about the nature of the alleged upcoming changes or the entities supposedly “plotting against Egypt.”
On Saturday evening, Egyptian TV host Ahmed Moussa warned on his show on Sada El-Balad TV of “upcoming changes that may shock some,” suggesting that “certain foreign measures may have dangerous consequences in the coming period.” He reiterated these warnings on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that “the region is going through its most dangerous phase in 77 years,” and described the challenges and pressures as “beyond imagination.”
He added: “Every nation is looking out for its own interests, security, and stability. Our focus must be on working, producing, building, and supporting our armed forces with full strength, as they are the only remaining pillar in this region.”
Likewise, media personality and Egyptian MP Mostafa Bakry asserted that “Egypt is capable of withstanding all challenges.” In a post on X, he warned of “escalating internal and external conspiracies aimed at breaking the nation’s will and forcing it to accept displacement.”
He said: “The coming days will bring intense pressure and desperate attempts, but Egypt is capable of resilience and resistance.” He emphasized that “our only option is national unity, putting an end to fabricated disputes and further crises.”
Egypt has repeatedly expressed its firm rejection of any attempt to displace Palestinians either internally or externally. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi described such proposals as an attempt to “liquidate the Palestinian cause.”
In response to Trump’s proposal to turn Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” Egypt instead proposed a Gaza reconstruction plan and hosted an emergency Arab summit in Cairo in March, which endorsed an Arab initiative to rebuild Gaza without displacement.
Meanwhile, Egyptian media figure Nashat Al-Dehi also voiced concern about the future, reiterating his earlier warnings both on his television show and in opinion pieces shared on X. He expressed “cautious concern” over the “rapid and severe changes” taking place in the region, with his comments also hinting at strained relations with the U.S.
Al-Dehi pointed to Egypt’s rejection of displacement plans, its refusal to participate in Yemen operations, and its opposition to granting U.S. military ships free passage through the Suez Canal. He also mentioned President Sisi’s previous refusal to visit the White House.
In February, local media reported a postponement of the president’s visit to Washington, allegedly due to disagreement over displacement proposals. However, the visit was never officially announced by either Egypt or the U.S., though an Egyptian presidential statement confirmed that “an open invitation from Trump to Sisi to visit Washington” exists.
On March 15, the U.S. began military operations against the Houthis, citing the need to “secure navigation in the Red Sea.” In April, Trump called for free passage for U.S. vessels through the Suez Canal. White House National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt said this would be “one way to share the burden of the U.S. military operation to ensure safe navigation.”
The media warnings about “upcoming changes” have been widely circulated on social media, with skepticism and demands for clarity. Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris shared some of the warnings on X and called for explanations.
Media host Amr Adib addressed the issue on his show “El Hekaya” (“The Story”), and after a segment of his remarks was circulated as part of the growing alarm, he clarified on X that he was not predicting or hinting at anything specific. “I didn’t suggest anything would happen,” he wrote. “On the contrary, I was criticizing those who spread fear among the public. I hope this matter ends—please don’t ask me what’s going to happen. If I knew, I would tell you. That’s my job.”
Dr. Abdel Moneim Said, member of Egypt’s Senate (the upper house of parliament), dismissed the warnings as exaggerated. He told Asharq Al-Awsat that he was unaware of any imminent shocking changes, questioning why such warnings were being issued now. While acknowledging the relevance of the displacement proposal, he noted that it was unlikely to cause serious strain in Egypt-U.S. relations given the ongoing communication between the two capitals. “Perhaps the recent media discourse is aimed at reinforcing Egypt’s consistent national positions,” he said.
Dr. Amr El-Shobaki, a consultant at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, noted that the lack of clarity about these pressures and changes opens the door to speculation. He told Asharq Al-Awsat that “responding to pressure and threats should not be done with slogans,” and stressed that “a country’s ability to cope with challenges depends on the strength of its political and economic foundations and political competence.” He added that Egypt’s most pressing challenge at the moment is economic and requires addressing the root causes of the current crisis.
Finally, Dr. Hassan Emad Mekkawy, former dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “facing risks requires a level of transparency and clarity.” He warned that “vague talk breeds confusion and fuels rumors and speculation, which ultimately does not serve the state’s interests.”
