Chapter 5 examines the international politics rationale behind the liberalisation of Egypt's migration policy. It first identifies the shift in regional balance of power that occurred in the aftermath of the 1967 War, underlying Egypt’s need to pursue a closer relationship with the Gulf states. Second, it examines in detail how the ruling regime under Sadat employed Egypt’s permissive labour emigration policy in order to pursue a rapprochement with its Arab partners, in three ways: firstly, the liberalisation of emigration marked a significant policy shift that allowed President Anwar Sadat to distance himself from his predecessor, Gamal Abdel Nasser; secondly, it concretely demonstrated the regime’s desire to benefit economically by contributing to neighbouring states’ labour needs; finally, it strengthened personalistic ties between Egyptian and Arab elites through increased levels of diplomatic activity. The final section examines a critical time of crisis in the Egyptian regime’s regional relations and the aftermath of its rapprochement with Israel, and evaluates the importance of Egyptian migration in fostering cross-regime relations.