Just to raise our hackles a little bit: The chairman of DP World says that Israel is the “logical” link between the EU and Middle East. Ports in Europe and the Middle East would be best, and most logically and strategically, linked via Israel, DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said, according to Reuters. The Dubai-based port operator in September signed partnership agreements that could set up a shipping route to Israel. UAE-based Med-Red Land Bridge has also, following the UAE’s normalization agreement with the Jewish state in August, opened talks with Israel’s state-owned Europe Asia Pipeline Co on an oil route to Europe that could bypass Egypt’s Suez Canal, challenging Egypt’s ambitions to emerge as a hub for regional energy exports.

IN DIPLOMACY- President Abdel Fattah El Sisi talked cooperation on counter-terrorism in the Sahel as well as the situation in Libya on a call with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. Meanwhile, Egypt will launch this month its ‘Gosoor’ program aiming to improve access to African markets.