One of the most crucial players in the war unfolding in the Middle East is Egypt, which neighbors Gaza and is facing pressure from the United States and its allies to open up its borders to refugees.

Today, we explain how Egypt's rocky economy presents both a headwind and an opportunity for humanitarian talks in the Middle East and why this situation is testing the United States' economic and political influence.

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.