The rift between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is “not surprising,” according to analysis by Stratfor, “Egypt has demonstrated a desire for greater independence in its foreign policy, resisting Saudi Arabia’s attempts to bring the country further under its influence.” For now, Cairo’s main priorities are to find financial support and fuel supplies — and Kuwait and the UAE are “continuing business as usual,” preserving the ties that bind Egypt to the GCC bloc. Stratfor says that while relations with Saudi Arabia are faltering, those between Egypt and the UAE have been as “strong as ever” and its contacts “indicate that Abu Dhabi and Cairo may be hashing out a deal for petroleum products to tide Egypt over through the spring.” Stratfor says Egypt is looking beyond traditional allies as well, mentioning agreements with the likes of Azerbaijan and Iraq. With the influx of IMF and World Bank funding expected, Stratfor says the “promise of financial relief could embolden Cairo in its pursuit of greater foreign policy independence,” but warns that “Cairo cannot afford to jeopardize the valuable relationships it already has with Saudi Arabia and the GCC. Similarly, the GCC cannot turn its back on Egypt, in whose stability the bloc’s members are all invested.”