Egypt’s Government Wants Out of Its Ancient Capital

When the Egyptian government announced plans last year to build a new capital in the desert 28 miles east of Cairo, analysts were skeptical. Not only were the components of the city extravagant—a green space twice the size of Central Park, an airport larger than Heathrow—but the basic idea seemed ludicrous. The Cairo-based urban planner David Sims told the site Africa-Middle East, “Egypt needs a new capital like a hole in the head.”

What’s in it for Egypt? The country’s president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and his government have worked—often through repressive, violent means—to secure their position since Sisi took power after a 2013 coup that ousted former president Mohamed Morsi. Yet Sisi’s stock is down. Tourism and foreign direct investment have lagged, a currency crisis is afoot, and attacks by ISIS-affiliated groups call security into question.