William de Hartong, director of the Arms and Security Project at the International Policy Center, believes that "the time has come - after a long wait - to rethink security assistance to Egypt, and under what conditions must be provided."
In an article on Defense America, Hartung wrote that Cairo and Washington have long interacted with American security aid - which totaled more than forty billion dollars over the past three decades - as if it were a benefit program offered regardless of the behavior of the Egyptian government. .
The writer mentioned that since the democratization of a democratically elected president in 2013, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has built the most repressive state in Egypt’s modern history, and his regime has engaged in a systematic pattern of gross violations of human rights, from the killing of peaceful protesters in the streets, to the imprisonment of tens of thousands of political opponents.
Hartong believes that these repressive practices undermine Egypt's ability to be a reliable security partner, adding that instead of using aid to develop the capabilities of the army and advance common national security interests; The Egyptian government misused aid for favoritism and prestige, and also killed thousands in an aggressive, uncontrolled, and crippling anti-terrorist campaign in North Sinai.
He added that Egypt and the United States support the opposing parties in the conflicts in Libya and Syria, even as the Sisi regime continues to deal with North Korea. This system also converged with Russia by conducting joint military exercises, commitment to buying Russian fighters, and allowing Russian special forces to operate within Egypt's borders as a launch pad for its intervention in Libya.
The author cited the words of Democratic Representative Tom Malinowski, who described the Egyptian army as "totally incompetent and catastrophic, in addition to its cruelty (...) They are doing absolutely nothing in the interest of Egyptian security or our security."
Combating terrorism
Hartung pointed to a new report by the Center for International Policy and Democracy Project in the Middle East, which proposes major reforms in US security assistance to Egypt.
The report suggested that the United States has significant influence over Egypt, should it choose to use it, because the bulk of the equipment in its military and air forces is of American origin, including most of its armored vehicles, attack helicopters, combat aircraft, and military transport aircraft.
The writer believes that the changes outlined will not lead to turning Egypt into a full democracy, but it can help alleviate some of its most horrific practices.
First and foremost, the annual US military aid to Egypt should be about three hundred million dollars less than the current 1.3 billion dollars; To show the Egyptian government that this aid is not due but is linked to its behavior. The reduced assistance could be part of an additional US investment in programs designed to deal with the emerging coronavirus pandemic.
Second - The author adds that the United States must impose strict conditions on security assistance to Egypt, without an opportunity for a presidential waiver, a clause used in the past to rid the regime of its problem of unacceptable behavior. The targeted areas of concern should include ending torture in Egyptian prisons, easing restrictions on journalists, human rights defenders and other NGOs, and ending killing, torture and displacement of civilians in the anti-terror campaign in Sinai.
Third - There should be a revised security assistance policy that increases transparency about how US aid is used. This should include allowing American journalists and officials to enter Sinai to monitor the actions of the Egyptian army and a clear accounting of how American money is spent as protection against corruption.
Finally, the author adds, the United States should limit its assistance to Egypt to the most appropriate elements for dealing with the most pressing threats to its national security. These priorities should include the maintenance of counter-terrorism-related equipment, and the enhancement of Sinai border and maritime security.