Internal Egyptian factors -- The regional and inter-Arab circle -- Egyptian-Israeli relations -- US-Egyptian relations -- On the eve of the storm : the Camp David Summit (July 2000) and its results -- The volcanic eruption : Egyptian foreign policy emphasizes the regional-Arab dimension -- Oscillating between two poles : Egyptian policy between the Sharm al-Shaykh Summit (16-17 October 2000) and the Cairo Summit (21-22 October 2000) -- Defense vs. attack : confrontation between the "moderate" and the "radical" camps in the Arab arena -- Cracks in the political-strategic triangle of Israel, Egypt and the USA -- Changes in the "external spheres of interest" and their repercussions on Egyptian policy -- A warming in US-Egyptian relations and its implications for the Egyptian position -- The downgrading of Egypt's commitment to the Arab arena in pursuit of more balanced relations with the USA -- Operation "Defensive Shield" : the Israeli reaction to the suicide bombers -- The disengagement plan -- The transitions from the Arab framework to an American-Israeli one -- Conclusion -- Appendix: documents related to the Palestinian intifada.