@Bkeroles1677 while my questions are still valid, my conclusion ( that you cannot file as MFJ , as reflected in answer by my colleague @KrisD15 ) is WRONG.
My assumptions were that to be able to file MFJ with an NRA one needed to be in the same tax home. This is not reflected in code -- generally there is no such restriction i.e. the need for Tax Home. Neither is there any such requirement in the UJS-Egypt tax treaty .
I stand down.
pk
