Ali's primary focus was military: he annexed 1820—1824 , 1833 , and parts of and ; but in 1841 the European powers, fearful lest he topple the Ottoman Empire itself, forced him to return most of his conquests to the Ottomans, but he kept the Sudan and his title to Egypt was made hereditary.
The individuals in these posts have been known to take different positions on some issues.
At home men have more power than women, and are supposed to make the major decisions.