TRACKING THE HISTORY OF EGYPT AS THE MIDDLE EAST: INITIERS AND CRITICS

Abstract

Egypt  has played an  important role  in  the  history of  the Middle East region from ancient times to the modern era. This  research  aims  to trace the historical development of Egypt in the context of the region, with a focus on Egypt's contribution as  an influential initiator of political, social and  cultural  thought in  the  Middle  East  as  well  as  the emergence  of  criticism  of  Egypt's  role  from  internal and external  perspectives.  Through  historiographic  analysis and primary  source  research,  this research  examines key periods  such  as  the  Ancient  Pharaohs,  the  Islamic  era, European colonialism, the rise of Egyptian nationalism, as well  as  Egypt's  role  in  contemporary  Middle  Eastern politics. This  research  reveals  that Egypt  is  not only  the center  of  ancient  civilization,  but  also  continues  to transform  into  a  major  power  in  the  Middle  East,  both through  modernist  ideologies  such  as  pan-Arabism, Nasserism, and as a major player in international relations in the region. However, Egypt's historical journey has also been  marked  by  criticism  from  neighboring countries as well  as  internal  groups  regarding  Egypt's  policies  on political and  social  issues.  This  research  contributes  to enriching the  understanding of  Egyptian  history  and  its relevance in the dynamics of the Middle East, providing a new  perspective on  the relationship between Egypt as  an initiator of change and a critic of its regional role.