William de Hartung, director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy, believes that "the time has come - after a long wait - to rethink security assistance to Egypt, and under what conditions it should be provided."

In an article on the US website Defense One, Hartung wrote that Cairo and Washington have long dealt with US security aid - totaling more than forty billion dollars over the past three decades - as if it were a entitlement program offered regardless of the Egyptian government's behavior. . 

Since the overthrow of a democratically elected president in 2013, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has built the most repressive state in Egypt's modern history, and his regime has engaged in a systematic pattern of gross human rights violations, from killing peaceful protesters in the streets to imprisoning tens of thousands of political opponents.

Hartung believes that these repressive practices undermine Egypt's ability to be a reliable security partner, adding that instead of using aid to develop military capabilities and advance common national security interests;

The Egyptian government misused aid for favoritism and prestige, and killed thousands in an aggressive, uncontrolled, and crippling counterterrorism 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 regime also converged with Russia by conducting joint military exercises, committing to purchase Russian fighters, and allowing Russian special forces to operate within Egypt's borders as a launching pad for their intervention in Libya.

The writer cited the words of Democratic Representative Tom Malinowski, who described the Egyptian army as "totally incompetent and disastrous, in addition to its cruelty (...) they do nothing at all in the interest of Egyptian security or our security."

Counterterrorism


Hartung referred to a new report by the Center for International Policy and the Middle East Democracy Project, proposing major reforms in US security assistance to Egypt.

The report indicated that the United States has great influence over Egypt, if it chooses to use it, because the bulk of the equipment in its army and air force is of American origin, including most of its armored vehicles, attack helicopters, combat aircraft and military transport aircraft.

The writer believes that the changes shown will not transform Egypt into a full democracy, but they could help mitigate some of its most egregious practices.

First of all, 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 assistance is not deserved but is related to its behavior.

The reduced aid could be part of additional US investment in programs designed to deal with the emerging coronavirus pandemic.

Second - The writer adds that the United States must impose strict conditions on security assistance to Egypt, without the opportunity for a presidential concession, a clause used in the past to rid the regime of the problem of its unacceptable behavior.

Targeted areas of concern must include an end to torture in Egyptian prisons, easing of restrictions on journalists, human rights defenders and other non-governmental organizations, and an end to the 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 US journalists and officials to enter Sinai to monitor the actions of the Egyptian military and making clear accountability for how US money is spent as a safeguard against corruption.

Finally, the writer adds that the United States should limit aid to Egypt to the elements most appropriate to deal with the most urgent threats to its national security.

These priorities should include the maintenance of counterterrorism equipment, and the strengthening of Sinai border and maritime security.