The Cairo Review of Global Affairs

The Cairo Review of Global Affairs is a quarterly journal published by the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) at the American University in Cairo (AUC). The journal serves as a platform for policymakers, officials, academics, journalists, and students—especially from the Middle East—to engage in international policy discussions and debates. It is recognized for its high editorial standards and its commitment to presenting regional perspectives on global issues, making it a key source for Middle Eastern viewpoints in international discourse (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, n.d.-a; The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, 2016).

Location

The Cairo Review is headquartered at the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo, located in New Cairo, Egypt (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, n.d.-a).

History, Establishment, and Founders

Launched in 2011, the Cairo Review was established during a period of significant political change in Egypt, coinciding with the Arab uprisings. The founding editorial team was led by Scott MacLeod, a former TIME magazine correspondent and then a GAPP professor. The first issue, published in Spring 2011, set the tone for the journal’s engagement with major regional events and issues (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, 2011; The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, n.d.-b).

Financial Sponsors

The Cairo Review is published by the American University in Cairo, a nonprofit institution. Financial support for the journal comes from AUC’s institutional resources, donations, and grants. Notably, the AUC has received significant external funding, such as grants from the Ford Foundation, to support research and academic programs, including those related to GAPP (Ford Foundation, 2022). Additional support comes from individual and institutional donors (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, n.d.-c).

Website and Contact Information

• Website: https://www.thecairoreview.com (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, n.d.-a)
• Contact Address: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, New Cairo 11835, Egypt

Prominent Research Figures

The Cairo Review of Global Affairs features contributions from a diverse range of scholars and experts. While a comprehensive list of prominent figures associated with the journal is not explicitly available, the editorial board includes distinguished local and international figures in diplomacy, public policy, and media, ensuring a high standard of content (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, 2016; CIAO, 2023). Key individuals associated with the journal include managing editors Firas Al-Atraqchi and Karim Haggag (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, 2016).

Key Fields of Concentration (Research)

The Cairo Review addresses a wide array of subjects relevant to the Middle East and global affairs. These include Middle East and American studies, law, migration, communications, and gender issues (BIAS-AME, 2014). More specifically, the journal covers topics such as energy policy, water and food security, and the impact of innovation on international cooperation (CIAO, 2023). It also engages with themes like the Arab-Israeli peace process and domestic political transitions in Egypt (CIAO, 2023).

Relations to the Islamic World

As a publication of the American University in Cairo, the Cairo Review is inherently connected to the Islamic world. It aims to give perspectives from the Middle East a voice in international policy conversations (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, 2016; CIAO, 2023). The journal provides a platform for discussing issues pertinent to the region, including challenges and opportunities facing Islamic societies.

Publishing/Significant Reports

The Cairo Review publishes quarterly, featuring articles and interviews on a range of global and regional issues (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, 2016; BIAS-AME, 2014). For example, the Summer 2020 issue included articles on topics such as enhancing Mediterranean integration, Turkey’s energy geopolitics, and the impact of COVID-19 on regional security (Journal Issue, 2020).

Impacts and Partnerships

The Cairo Review aims to be a leading journal in the Middle East, distinguished by its regional focus and high professional standards (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, 2016). It serves as a platform for Middle Eastern voices in global policy debates, fostering discussions on critical issues facing the region (CIAO, 2023). The journal is part of the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) at AUC, which collaborates with various institutions and receives support to promote research and knowledge production (CIAO, 2023).

Editorial and Regional Positioning

The Cairo Review of Global Affairs is published by the American University in Cairo, an institution with strong ties to Western academic and policy circles. While the journal aims to provide a regional voice in global affairs, its editorial line often reflects perspectives aligned with Western and Egyptian policy interests, which may lead to critical portrayals of Iran’s regional role (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, 2016). From Iran’s viewpoint, this could be seen as a subtle attempt to frame Iran’s policies and actions within a narrative that favors its regional rivals or Western agendas.

Coverage of Iran and Regional Conflicts

The journal frequently covers Iran’s involvement in regional conflicts, such as in Syria, often emphasizing Iran’s strategic and military influence in ways that may be perceived as negative or threatening by Iranian observers (Abu Layla, 2023). Such framing can be interpreted as part of a broader effort to isolate Iran diplomatically and justify regional countermeasures against it.

Relations with Egypt and the Islamic World

Historically, Egypt and Iran have had strained relations, with diplomatic ties severed since 1980 and only recently showing signs of cautious rapprochement (The New Arab, 2025). The Cairo Review’s editorial content may reflect this complex relationship by highlighting Egyptian and allied perspectives that are cautious or critical of Iran’s regional ambitions. From Iran’s perspective, this could be viewed as the journal serving as a soft power tool to influence public opinion and policy in the Arab world against Iran.

Potential Hidden Objectives

• Shaping Regional Narratives: By emphasizing certain conflicts and Iran’s role within them, the journal might aim to shape regional and international narratives that constrain Iran’s influence (Abu Layla, 2023).
• Supporting Western and Egyptian Policies: The journal’s affiliation with AUC and its editorial board’s composition suggest alignment with Western and Egyptian strategic interests, which often include countering Iran’s regional policies (The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, 2016).
• Promoting a Middle Eastern Order Favorable to Egypt and Allies: The journal may implicitly support a regional order that limits Iran’s role and enhances Egypt’s diplomatic and political standing, especially amid recent warming ties between Egypt and Iran (The New Arab, 2025).