Egypt in the Index of the Most Influential Countries

Egypt is a Mega Power

Based on the US News report

Reference

Https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/most-influential-countries

Recent international reports announced that Egypt progressed five places in the index of the most influential countries around the world for 2024, ranking 19th out of 89 countries after ranking 25th in 2023, while it ranked 28th in 2017. This index is one of the main outputs of US News & World Report in collaboration with a group of researchers and international relations experts, and is part of a broader classification known as Best Countries Report.

Index history and criteria

The index appeared in its first edition in 2016, with the aim of measuring the extent of the influence of countries in the world through questionnaires that included tens of thousands of experts, businessmen and citizens of various nationalities. The index is based on a set of criteria, most notably:

1. Military capability and the extent of its reflection on the regional and international balances of power.

2. Political and diplomatic influence and the state's ability to lead international files.

3. Economic power and the status of the state in trade and investment.

4. Cultural and media presence including its role in spreading its values and identity.

5. Geographical location, strategic importance and role in regional security issues.

Together, these criteria contribute to the formulation of a mental image of the state, not only as a force within its borders, but as an influential player in international policies.

Put Egypt in the index

Egypt's advance to 19th place confirms that it has become on the list of countries with effective influence, an important achievement in light of intense global competition. It is noted that Egypt has continued to rise since 2017 when it was in 28th place, which means that there is a steady trend towards strengthening the international position.

Reasons for the rise of Egypt's influence

This progress can be linked to several main reasons:

1. The active regional role: Egypt represents a pivotal country in the Middle East and Africa, and plays the role of the main mediator in many conflicts, especially in the Palestinian file, where it plays a leading role in the calm and managing negotiations between the Palestinian factions and Israel, in addition to its humanitarian efforts through the Rafah crossing and its support for the delivery of aid.

2. Military capability: The Egyptian army is considered the strongest in the region according to the reports of “Global Fire Power”, which enhances the value of Egypt as a guarantor of regional stability, and as an imprenetrable dam to attempts to destabilize security in the region.

3. Diplomatic presence: Cairo has become a center for international negotiations, as it actively participates in climate summits, energy dialogues, and the settlement of the crises of Sudan and Libya, in addition to its strong presence in the African Union and development forums.

4. Internal stability and economic reforms: Despite the challenges, Egypt continued huge infrastructure projects such as the new Suez Canal and the administrative capital, which sent positive signals to the international community about

Its ability to develop.

5. Cultural and media role: Thanks to its soft power spanning media, drama and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Egypt remains one of the greatest sources of cultural and intellectual influence in the Arab world and Africa.

Egypt and support the Palestinian cause

One of the most prominent motivations for strengthening Egypt's position is its firm position towards the Palestinian cause. It was not satisfied with statements, but took practical positions, most notably:

• Opening the Rafah crossing for the entry of humanitarian aid.

• Sponsoring ceasefire agreements in rounds of escalation.

• Rejecting attempts to displace Palestinians from Gaza and affirming a just solution by establishing a Palestinian state.

• Leading an international diplomatic movement to expose Israeli violations and gain UN support for Palestinian rights.

Summary

Egypt's progress in the index of the most influential countries is not just a number, but a reflection of an expanding regional and international role. By combining hard power (military and economic) and soft power (culture and diplomacy), Egypt is able to re-establish its position as a pivotal state, especially in Arab issues, especially the Palestinian issue. This rise reflects a growing international awareness that Egypt is not only a largely populated and geographical country, but also a country that balances in one of the world's most sensitive regions.