–Analysis–
CAIRO — During Donald Trump’s first term, the U.S. administration proposed the creation of what became known as Arab NATO or Middle East NATO. These proposals resurfaced multiple times, with some Arab states initially approving. But another key regional player, Egypt, discreetly opposed the initiative — not through direct rejection but by allowing it to wither away through bureaucratic inertia.
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At the time, Egyptian officials from that country began posing complex technical questions to the U.S. regarding the coalition’s objectives, operational mechanisms, and institutional framework. They deliberately stalled, betting on the possibility that Trump’s first term would end without re-election.
In other words, they activated what could be described as the “Madame Afaf” or “Madame Bureaucracy” approach — delaying the process until they could formally withdraw, ultimately leading to the quiet demise of the initiative despite its international momentum.
Strategic delays in diplomatic maneuvers
In 2016, Cairo and Riyadh signed a maritime demarcation agreement that transferred sovereignty over Tiran and Sanafir islands, which are at the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba, from Egypt to Saudi Arabia. The agreement triggered widespread domestic backlash, with many opposing the relinquishment of sovereignty.
Once the initial controversy settled, the government employed the “Madame Bureaucracy” strategy again, embarking on a complex bureaucratic process. They emphasized that sovereignty transfer did not necessarily equate to administrative handover.
The official documents even stated that the agreement’s implementation would not nullify Egypt’s security responsibilities in the area. This created an extended legal and political debate over sovereignty versus administration, further complicating the matter.
What is the “Madame Bureaucracy” approach?
In his seminal analysis of power, knowledge, and institutions, the French philosopher Michel Foucault coined the term “microphysics of bureaucratic power”.
This concept provides a lens for understanding how authority operates through meticulous and routine bureaucratic procedures. It also explains how certain political systems leverage excessive administrative complexity to ensure their longevity, adopting a survivalist approach focused solely on persistence.
In this context, “Madame Bureaucracy” possesses an exceptional ability to halt any progressing initiative.
“Madame Bureaucracy” functions as the bureaucratic equivalent of Hollywood’s superheroes.
Throughout its various political transformations, from post-revolutionary governance to modern state-building efforts, Egypt has consistently employed the microphysics of bureaucratic power. Over decades, the metaphorical figure of “Madame Bureaucracy” has come to symbolize a vast segment of the administrative workforce — an entity wielding an almost mythological ability to obstruct progress.
In effect, “Madame Bureaucracy” functions as the bureaucratic equivalent of Hollywood’s superheroes — exercising extraordinary power to stall processes, complicate decisions, and entangle policymakers in endless red tape.
The success of “Madame Bureaucracy” in foreign policy
Given its effectiveness in ensuring political continuity, this bureaucratic strategy has seamlessly transitioned into the realm of foreign policy. Whenever the leadership wishes to neutralize an unwelcome proposal without direct confrontation, the machinery of government — political, diplomatic, and security apparatuses — activates the “Madame Bureaucracy” approach.
This strategy has been deployed on multiple occasions, including the quiet derailment of the Arab NATO project and the prolonged administrative entanglement surrounding the islands’ sovereignty transfer.
A strategy of patience with Trump
As Trump’s second term began, he proposed an extreme plan to depopulate Gaza, relocating its residents to neighboring countries. This idea, widely rejected except by the Israeli far-right, tested the effectiveness of strategic patience, a policy long employed by Egypt in managing relations with both Washington and Tel Aviv.
The essence of this approach lies in a carefully calibrated mix of strategic patience and bureaucratic inertia.
A key feature of this method is the deliberate avoidance of direct diplomatic or political confrontations. Instead, the government conveys firm messages in closed-door meetings through military, intelligence, and diplomatic coordination channels. This was precisely the case when discussions of forced displacement resurfaced after Oct. 7, 2024.
Simultaneously, while employing strategic patience diplomatically, Cairo has maintained a strictly defensive military doctrine — refraining from external conflicts while strengthening its air, naval, and missile defense capabilities.
Who will hold the “new broom”?
How will Egypt respond to Trump’s proposal — or rather, how will it ensure its slow demise?
The leadership is expected to continue exercising patience, maintaining its strategic calm while leveraging bureaucratic complexity to drown unwanted proposals in endless administrative, political, and technical details. This process will systematically strip the initiative of any substantive momentum until it fades away.
At the same time, the government has already begun working on an alternative post-war plan for Gaza.
This approach is rooted in long-term pragmatism, recognizing that leadership cycles in Washington and Tel Aviv shift every few years. By contrast, Egypt’s foreign policy orientation remains stable, irrespective of its leadership. Moreover, Egypt’s presidents tend to serve prolonged terms, most recently President Sisi himself, who is set to complete 16 years in office by 2030.
A masterful blend of strategic patience and bureaucratic inertia.
A well-known proverb states that “a new broom sweeps clean,” and officials understand that Trump is aggressively pushing his agenda early in his term. But they also recognize that his focus will soon shift toward domestic battles — including legal entanglements, partisan polarization, and institutional clashes within Washington’s halls of power.
On the international front, it is obvious that Trump’s primary focus will be ending the war in Ukraine and courting Russia as part of a grand strategy against China. As a result, the Middle East is likely to be a secondary concern.
Given these dynamics, Egypt’s approach remains clear: a masterful blend of strategic patience and bureaucratic inertia — navigating the complexities of Trump’s tenure until the region witnesses its next political shift, leaving them to wait and see who will hold the “new broom” next.
