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Egypt and Saudi Arabia, two worlds seemingly separated by the waters of the Red Sea, are bound by a connection that transcends physical borders. On one hand, Egypt, an ancient cradle of civilization, serves as the bridge between Africa and the Middle East, where deeply rooted traditions forge an identity that stands resilient against the winds of change. On the other, Saudi Arabia stretches vast and enigmatic, a land where the desert meets modern dreams, and the interplay of oil wealth and religion creates an economic and geopolitical powerhouse that resonates far beyond its borders.

Small islands, big positions

Amid this stunning contrast, the islands of Tiran and Sanafir, small yet crucial, emerge as symbols of a connection that defies distance. These islands, standing sentinel over the Strait of Tiran, situated at the critical entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, and serving as pivotal points in the stability and international relations of the Red Sea region, bear witness to a quiet collaboration between the two nations, both acutely aware of their indispensable role in a rapidly shifting world. Far from merely dividing, these islands unite the two countries in a delicate harmony.

The “sale” of the Tiran and Sanafir islands by Egypt to Saudi Arabia in 2017, a surprising and unexpected act in the current context, deepens the mystery of a geopolitical game where the past collides with the present. In an era where national borders seemed immutable, this transfer of territory, carried out with cold pragmatism and precise calculations, takes on a unique significance. Far from being a mere exchange of land, this gesture evokes echoes of ancient times when kingdoms and empires drew their borders based on their ambitions and the balance of power at the time.

In a contemporary global context where such territorial cessions were few and far between, the surprise was all the greater, and the symbolism of this act takes us to a world in constant flux, where values and interests are shaped not only on maps but also by economic and strategic foundations.

A game run its course

The Tiran and Sanafir islands were entrusted to a more powerful neighbour, reflecting shifts in paradigms within international relations. This act, a symbol of the new regional order, demonstrates that even in the 21st century, borders are never permanent, and strategic interests can prevail over traditions and historical heritage.

Tiran and Sanafir’s importance lies in their dual strategic and economic value. Geopolitically, their location at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba makes them indispensable for controlling maritime traffic and ensuring secure navigation routes for neighbouring nations. Economically, their potential integration into Saudi Arabia’s development vision could transform them into critical nodes for tourism, trade, and regional cooperation, aligning with broader efforts to diversify and modernize the Saudi economy.

These two uninhabited islands nestled in the Red Sea have a rich and intricate history tied to regional security dynamics. Yet historically considered part of Saudi Arabia, they were leased to Egypt in 1950 to bolster Arab defences against Israeli territorial expansion. The islands rose to prominence during pivotal moments in Middle Eastern history, including the Suez Crisis of 1956 and the Six-Day War in 1967. Egypt utilized the islands’ strategic position to regulate maritime traffic through the Gulf of Aqaba, directly impacting Israel’s access to the Red Sea.

Egypt’s gain

Egypt viewed the transfer as an opportunity to consolidate its alliance with Saudi Arabia, a key financial benefactor. Facing economic challenges, Egypt benefited from Saudi loans, grants, and investments, which likely influenced its decision to relinquish sovereignty. However, the transaction’s critics argue that such economic dependence undermines Egypt’s sovereignty, sparking debates about the ethics and implications of such agreements.

Although the precise financial terms of the transfer have not been publicly disclosed, it is widely understood that the deal was part of a comprehensive package of economic aid and investment from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. In the years preceding the agreement, Saudi Arabia provided billions of dollars in financial assistance to support Egypt’s fragile economy.

Today, Tiran and Sanafir remain uninhabited and demilitarized, consistent with the terms established by the Camp David Accords. Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans to incorporate the islands into its broader Red Sea development initiatives, including projects like NEOM, which aim to transform the region into a hub for innovation, tourism, and global trade.

These developments could significantly enhance regional connectivity and economic growth, although their realization remains dependent on geopolitical stability and effective implementation.

Conclusion

The transfer of Tiran and Sanafir encapsulates the intricate interplay of history, economics, and geopolitics in the Middle East. "Stuck in the middle" between conflicting narratives of sovereignty, financial imperatives, and strategic alliances, the islands symbolize the challenges of balancing national identity with practical diplomacy. As Saudi Arabia pursues its ambitious development agenda, the islands’ transformation will likely shape regional dynamics, offering a revealing lens into the art of modern statecraft and the compromises inherent in international relations.

Photo source: PxHere.com.

References

Arab Center Washington DC (n.d.) Arab Center Washington DC. Available at: https://arabcenterdc.org/.

Aronson, G. (2017) ‘Saudi Interest in the Red Sea Islands of Tiran and Sanafir Grows as Its Security Interests Expand’, Middle East Institute, 10 January. Available at: https://www.mei.edu/publications/saudi-interest-red-sea-islands-tiran-and-sanafir-grows-its-security-interests-expand-0.

Hanna, M.W. (2016) ‘Egypt’s Troubled Islands: The Politics of the Land Transfer to Saudi Arabia’, Foreign Affairs, 26 April. Available at: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/egypt/egypts-troubled-islands.

Kaldas, T.E. (2016) ‘Tiran, Sanafir, and the Island of Executive Power in Egypt’, The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, 21 April. Available at: https://timep.org/2016/04/21/tiran-sanafir-and-the-island-of-executive-power-in-egypt/.

Kirkpatrick, D.D. (2017) ‘Egyptian President Agrees to Cede 2 Islands to Saudi Arabia’, The New York Times, 24 June. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/24/world/middleeast/egypt-abdel-fattah-el-sisi-tiran-sanafir.html.

Middle East Eye (n.d.) ‘Tiran and Sanafir: Why are the Red Sea Islands Strategic for Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel?’. Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-saudi-israel-tiran-and-sanafir-red-sea-islands-strategic.

Middle East Policy Council (n.d.) Information & Analysis. Available at: https://mepc.org/.