Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, a former general who was elected but rules with a heavy hand, may find a kindred spirit in Donald Trump this week. Soon al-Sisi became the first foreign leader to congratulate Trump on his surprise electoral win, his office says. Many Egyptians are also proud of past glories and despondent over present decline — which al-Sisi has tapped into with skill. Al-Sisi frequently claims Egypt is winning its continuing war on terrorism in the Sinai Peninsula and has urged people to not "listen to anybody's words but me." Trump promised to make Americans "bored from so much winning," speaks of himself in singular terms and frequently references his surprise election victory.

Source: Egypt Independent April 03, 2017 09:22 UTC