Billions of dollars in US aid to Egypt are in danger of being suspended in response to the new Egyptian dictatorship's calls to arrest 16 Americans helping Egypt get it's fledgling Democracy off the ground. In response, the Muslim Brotherhood, who recently acquired over 50% of the non-functioning Egyptian Parliment, stated that any reduction in US aid would violate the terms of the peace agreement with Israel. The way I look at it, it has turned from humanitarian aid to extortion money in support of a criminal enterprise. Cut them off immediately and tell them to go F themselves. If they want to attack their dog, their wives, cripples, or Israel in response, let them have at it. It would be comic to watch them throw themselves on Israels tender mercies. Another self solving problem.
I do understand where you are going with this thread.But..... the U.S. gets more than just adherance to the Israeli-Egyptian pact.The U.S. gets unlimited access to the Suez Canal.Also Egypt does help the U.S. in dealing with the Arab states. My point is that the U.S. does not gain by going backwards in regards to middle east diplomacy.Let them threaten all they want,the U.S. ought to be getting it's moneys worth on it's investment.
I'm sure the US is more than happy to pay what every one else pays to access the canal. It certainly is not the 1.3 billion we currently send them. As far as the saber rattling goes, remember that Egypt only has a country and control of the canal because the US talked Israel into giving giving it back to them after the 1967 war. Were Egypt to renege on the terms of it's surrender it wouldn't be the US who re-opened the blockaded canal. It would be Israel, who I am certain will let US ships through without issue. What I find stunning is, up until the Arab spring, Egypt was a peaceful nation that didn't threaten it's neighbors, despite the fact it was ruled by a benign dictator. Post Arab spring, Egypt is ruled by a military junta(Dictatorship) that oppresses it's people while crime runs rampant and threatens to attack their neighbors if the US doesn't just suck it up and send them their 1.3 billion dollar wellfare check. Obviously thats not going to happen. Egypt is at a crossroads, a real decision making point for which they alone will bear the responsibility. Right now as we speak, US congress SERIOUSLY considering suspending the 1.3 billion dollars in aid we send to Egypt. If Egypt continues down this path, that money could disappear permanently. IT will be interesting to see how committed the folks in the Egyptian military are committed to democracy when they are no longer being paid.
Writing hot checks (we dont have 1.3 billion, we borrow it) to pay people to be cooperative is bullshit. Cut it off, and if they want us to be cooperative they can pay us $1.3 billion. Hey, why not?
1.3 Billions can buy about 1000 tomahawks . Why not send those flying in ? With US being not so friendly towards what's left of their tourism would plummet making them Somalia #2 . I'm sure they're all super happy with that kind of future .
If you are so sure, how much are you willing to bet? Of course US is going to pay. And not only to Egypt but also to Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. It's called Jizya -- protection money
That is the first time I've heard US foreign aid to the middle east called Jizyah. Inaccurate , but funny, and a terrific political tool. I plan to borrow it . I personally think we will continue to send Egypt money, but not based on threats of attacks on Israel. Foreign aid from the US government comes with certain strings attached, and Egypt's arrest warrants for dozens of workers of US NGOs cross the line. Egypt will capitulate. They aren't Iran. If they don't, we will cut off the funding. Its a given, and in that area, they should take a lesson from Iran.
Why would the U.S. pay? WHO would we pay it to? Egypt is broken and corrupt which means it's "leaders" are only out for themselves. If we send them $1.3 Billion it would disappear faster than a fart in a fan factory.