Here at home, columnists added their own two cents not only on the perceived spat between Cairo and Riyadh, but also on the structural weaknesses in their diplomatic relationship as well as Egypt’s changing role in the region:

The region cannot handle a rift between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Al Masry Al Youm’s columnist with the pseudonym Newton says. Egypt’s stance on Syria is similar to its stance on Yemen in 1962, Newton tries to explain, in the sense that it is not an act of hostility towards Saudi.

Howeidy sees no sense in Egypt’s diplomatic stance: Al Shorouk columnist Fahmy Howeidy says the duality in Egypt voting for two rival resolutions is just a reflection of its inconsistency. Similar examples include the doubletalk of praising Egyptian-US relations internationally, while centering them in conspiracy theories domestically; claiming the Palestinian issue is central to Egyptian politics, but maintaining a blockade on Gaza; claiming the armed forces can spread through Egypt in six hours, but having not solved the insurgency in Sinai yet.

There was never really a proper strategic alliance between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, writes Al Shorouk columnist Abdallah El Sennawy. Differences were always palpable between the two nations, particularly on how to deal with the issues in Yemen and Syria. El Sennawy says a major turning point would be if Saudi Arabia decides to rescind all of the partnership agreements signed during King Salman’s visit to Egypt.