What Should Egypt's Answer Be?

No doubt President Obama’s decision to ban the export of tanks, Apache helicopters, F-16 fighter jets and all relevant spare parts and weaponry caused the most unprecedented and profound damage to U.S.-Egyptian relations in 30 years. The Obama administration has, admittedly, provided many excuses: It has confirmed that this decision is temporary and will be reviewed from time to time, and the administration had no other option, since U.S. laws prohibit providing aid to any government that supports ousting an elected president! It was stated also that the administration is hopeful this decision will not affect the relationship between the two countries, especially the relations between the Egyptian armed forces and the Pentagon.

I think this decision gives Egypt no choice but to terminate the special type of relationship [it has enjoyed] with the United States, and return it to just plain normal. Egypt has to stop sending training missions to Washington and must review those privileged services provided by the Egyptian government to that of the U.S. The decision made by the current U.S. president’s administration is an insult to Egyptians, since it does not clearly state what is required from Egypt for [the U.S.] to resume providing aid. If democracy is truly the issue here, then what about the implementation of the road map? Or is it required that the Egyptians integrate the Muslim Brotherhood into their political system despite their heinous crimes and release its leadership without holding them legally accountable? That will not happen, no matter what, and has already been rejected by the Egyptian majority. If it is true, as claimed by the Obama administration, that countries receiving U.S. aid must respect Washington’s wishes, then why has no similar decision been made against Israel, [a country] that slaps the U.S. in the face every day by arrogantly insisting on its settlement policy and obstructing any real compromise?

I know that Egypt’s loss will be great facing the imposed shortages of U.S. weaponry and equipment, but the United States’ loss will be greater if the relationship degrades from a special level to a normal one through the exclusion of all privileges, exceptions and advantages.