21 September 2001
Egypt and U.S. Foreign Policy
The World Tribune reports today that Egypt will not be an active military participant in the coming U.S. anti-terror operation, and indeed will strengthen its ties with Iraq, a state sponsor of terrorism and possibly a direct sponsor of the WTC and Pentagon attacks.
Egypt is the second largest recipient of direct foreign aid from the United States, its bribe for making a cold peace with Israel (along with the return of the Sinai). Israel, a reliable American ally and a nation devoted to the rule of law and liberal democracy, is the largest recipient of direct foreign aid from the United States. Unlike Israel, Egypt is a repressive regime which devotion to the rule of law is questionable at best -- a circumstance that is deemed "moderate" in the Arab world. Egypt cannot be considered a reliable ally of the United States despite generous foreign-aid appropriations, as this historical empirical study illustrates.
It is unlikely that the U.S. foreign aid budget will be eliminated altogether, however desirable that might be. However, if Mr. Bush is serious about asking nations to choose between terror and liberty and Egypt has made its choice, Egypt's foreign aid appropriations should be terminated immediately.
[Posted @ 12:53 PM CST]
