American Coercion

President Barack Obama warned Egypt’s ruling military council that he would halt aid ($1.3 billion annually) to the country after six Americans were barred from traveling outside of Egypt until the end of an investigation into the funding sources of unregistered NGOs. Among them was Sam LaHood, son of the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The detainees work for semi-official American organizations funded by Washington to promote democracy in Egypt and other Arab nations.

This test of relations between the two countries is the first since the regime change in Egypt, but coercion and threats of cutting aid are not new. The precedent was set after Camp David by successive administrations that employed such practices every time they felt that Cairo might “deviate” from its prescribed path.

Through this financial coercion – not to mention political coercion, incitement of religious and sectarian fanaticism and entanglement of the military establishment in financial schemes – the United States was able to neutralize the greatest Arab nation and paralyze its will. It transformed Egypt into what resembled a protectorate, to the point where the United States was caught off-guard by the uprising and was initially confused. But it was not long before it regained its balance and became comfortable with the alliance between the Muslim Brotherhood and the military: an alliance that brought the Brotherhood to power. The current situation tests the extent of both sides’ abilities to preserve an old approach in a country that is witnessing a historical shift. Republican Senator John McCain announced that the detention “endangers the lives of American citizens” and that the incident “could set back the long-standing partnership between the United States and Egypt.”

Cairo and Washington may soon get past this minor crisis, but many other crises could break out between the two countries. This is especially true now that those who began the uprising have returned to the squares with many demands, not least of which is that the military relinquish its power and return to the barracks. The greatest test of US-Egypt relations will occur when the emerging democracy begins to demand that the government take a stance regarding relations with Israel and return Egypt to its long-awaited role in the Arab region.

Washington’s coercion of Egypt will not stop; It will take on various forms, including cutting aid and threatening to marginalize Egypt’s Arab and Islamic role. The Brotherhood, which has gained the reins of power, is now being subjected to two tests: a national test and an American test. Towards which of the two sides will it lean?