Ashraf Zaher was appointed Minister of Defence in February 2026. His strategic vision to reinforce military cooperation with international allies was evident, reflecting a broader approach focused on strengthening mutually aligned regional security interests. In July 2026, he over-saw the inauguration of the new State Strategic Command Headquarters, the Octagon, in the New Administrative Capital. It’s inspired by ancient Egyptian civilisation, while adopting an octagonal geometric design as a symbol of strategic power and the close interconnection of all sovereign state systems.