Clashes between supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian Military are growing more and more violent each day. On Sunday, 53 people were killed in a bloody clash between protesters and the military. This is the bloodiest clash since Mohamed Morsi was ousted from office on July 3. There seems to be constant fighting and Egypt looks like its on the brink of civil war with people, on both sides, dying every day. It also seems that the violence will not end anytime soon after an Egyptian court banned the Muslim Brotherhood, so it seems that the protests, and the crackdowns, will continue.
Today, the US halted military aid to Egypt. The halt stems from the military's crackdown on supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood. The State Department released a statement today saying that it will freeze military aid until some progress is made towards free and fair elections in the country. The US will stop the shipment of harpoon missles, Apache helicopters, parts for tanks, about $260 million in cash, and a $300 million loan. Another source says that the exact amount of Apache helicopters is 10, along with F16 fighter jets, and $500 million.
Israel has also had a say on this issue. One Israeli official said that this halt in military aid will make it seem like the United States is "dropping a friend". But a US official responded by saying that the halt is not permanent. Some analyst say that it is the opposite of the US "dropping a friend". After all, the US will continue to aid Egyptian counter-terrorism, which mainly operates in the Sinai region. So is the US trying to keep its hands clean? Or is the US pressuring the military to hold elections and transfer power to a civilian military? The latter seems more likely. The only questions now are how long will the violence in Egypt last and whether or not the military will actually hold elections that will please the Muslim Brotherhood. As of now, it seems unlikely that there will be a peaceful resolution to this problem since both the Egyptian military and the Muslim Brotherhood seem very firm in their positions.
I personally think that this is a good move by the US. By halting military aid to Egypt, it will help them to come to a resolution in a more timely matter. This aid could have been giving them something to lean back on, and by removing the aid for a short period time, will give Egypt more of an incentive to make a compromise. Especially with conflict only escalating, it is clear that US aid is only helping to make matters worse. I do not see this as the US dropping a friend at all, but rather, the US realizing that the aid provided was not helping. It will be interesting to see if this halt in aid will actually help as I think the US is hoping it to do.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Patric that this is more of the U.S. saving some resources and not wasting them on a country that is losing its democratic ways. Egypt is very volatile right now and I would not be surprised to see some conflicting in the near future.
ReplyDeleteThe effectiveness of foreign aid in general has long been under scrutiny and in some cases has been found to be counter-effective to the development of a nation. A major problem is corruption within the recipient government and agencies, and considering that there is no stable government in place (democratic or otherwise) in Egypt currently, delivering aid could foster competition and propagate the violence even further.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there will likely not be a peaceful resolution to this political crisis in Egypt. The peaceful, democratic solution to the coup that ousted Mubarak resulted in turmoil, as well as that of Morsi. A recent Economist article stated that the Middle East will continue down a road of islamism and sectarianism, and while sectarianism is not such an issue in Egypt there have been attacks on Coptic Christians. The predominate problem is the rift between islamists and secularists, the latter of which is supported by the most powerful institution in the country, that being the Egyptian military. Egypt is simply too polarized right now for there to be a proper solution. If the military has been cut off from American military aid, that mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. Yes it will create hardship for them, but they are not exempt from purchasing weapons from other states that may have a stake in Egypt. The political deadlock will not be broken soon
ReplyDeleteI think it is surprising that we had continued to fund the unstable Egyptian government up until now. Since the fall of the Mubarak regime, there has been very little political stability in egypt. The US made a crucial decision to support the rebels in their search for democracy. Since the initial revolution, instead of democratic consolidation, there has been widespread political polarization and extremist ruling the political system. This is loose/loose situation for foreign governments to invest in; because if you invest in the loser, you cut all ties and potential for future diplomacy. If you invest in the winners, than you risk angering a large percentage of the population going against their cause. The US put itself in the middle of an ethnic dispute, and is only now regretting getting involved.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Elizabeth and how foreign aid has had some difficulties in the past and can tend be counter-effective at times. Some times, lending help and aid to countries do in fact anger other nations which could lead to other issues facing the United States. thus is the example of Egypt that others have brought up.
ReplyDeleteI agree with above that the US is trying to save some of its resources during this time and actually taking steps towards Egypt's Democracy. The US is watching over how its aid is being spent more strictly now and wants results, so it is giving a push to get something settled in Egypt with this halt of military aid.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the United States decision to temporarily cease our military aid until some progress is made towards free and fair elections in the country. If Egypt is on the brink of civil war with its people, why should we continue to supply them with weapons such as harpoon missiles and Apache helicopters. That's just a recipe for disaster. I think the US is trying to keep our hands clean while pressuring them to hold elections and transfer power to a civilian military. We don't want to get in the middle of a conflict that could potentially escalate at any moment. The US's mission is to try and stay neutral while still coaxing a subtle change when it comes to elections.
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