Egypt- why is the US so involved?

[CheeseChomper]

Been following the news and the protests in Egypt with interest, and whilst I get why people are protesting, can someone cleverer/more informed than me tell me why the US are so involved with what might happen in the country, and the possible implications?

I didn't realise that the US had much to do with Egypt (call me ignorant)?

To me it just seems that America sticks its nose in everywhere!

The US has been giving Egypt about $1 billion a year in "military assistance" aid, so it is entangled in the country and it's politics.

As to why, well the three main reasons are probably Israel, the Suez Canal and the legacy of the Cold War.

Egypt was the first Arab state to strike a peace deal with Israel, which is something the American's very much wanted both for the peace itself and also for the hope that it would set a precedent.

The Suez canal means that ships can transit to/from the Middle East and Persian Gulf without going around Africa, this is a substantial time saving. The Canal might not always be the first choice as it makes your ships very vulnerable, but it is strategically a very useful fast route if you need it. We, the British, tried a military intervention there in the 50s because of the canal, it is very important.

I think that it's also important that Egypt used to be under the "influence" of the Russians and it was quite the political coup for the Americans to swing them around to their side. So historically that's another reason as to why the American's originally became involved, and now that they are it's hard to walk away.

What BadgerPaws said. Beside Egypt is the biggest Arab 'moderate' regime in the region and if things go wrong it could trigger a lot of dangerous changes that would affect the world as a whole.

Agree with the others - it's about keeping them on-side. Same as why they give so much money to Pakistan.

Oil. Its as simple as that.

Egypt has very little oil but a huge amount of the oil that the US uses comes from the Middle East and hence the US has a huge strategic interest in that region. Its warships and many oil tankers transit the Suez canal as others have said.

However, in addition, there is the Sumed pipeline that runs roughly parallel to the canal which also carries crude oil that allows very heavy Ultra/Very Large supertankers that are far too large to transit the canal to offload into the Red Sea end of the pipeline and then another supertanker waits to load the crude back on at the Mediterranean end before sailing to the US/Europe.

"Oil. Its as simple as that."

Oil is connected, but to the US Israel manages to trump oil, the US would probably have a much easier and more secure oil supply if it backed away from it's support of Israel.

US military and political support for Egypt swings around the peace deal that followed in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur war. Egypt was expelled from the Arab League for that, but it was encouraged by the Americans.

I'm not saying that Oil is not a huge factor in US foreign policy, but so is Israel.

Thanks all- explains a lot!

I had a guess that the Suez canal was something to do with it, but didn't realise that the US gave that much in military assistance and were so heavily involved from that perspective.

Does that mean the the US will/would have a say in who the next leader of Egypt is, if/when Muburak stands down?

"didn't realise that the US gave that much in military assistance and were so heavily involved from that perspective."

The figure for US aid to Egypt last year was actually about $1.75 billion. So higher than I thought and second only to the aid given to Israel (about $2.75 billion).

"Does that mean the the US will/would have a say in who the next leader of Egypt is, if/when Muburak stands down?"

Well in theory no.

However the next Government, if there is one, will have to be aware of the fairly large military dependence on the US. But that's no guarantee of anything, Iran's military was very heavily tied to the US and yet it's revolutionary Government went completely the opposite way.

However because of the oil, the canal, Israeli influence on US politics and the fear of an Islamic fundamentalist Government the US will be poking around over there.

Egypt is also a buffer state on one side of Israel. Should the gov't be hostile to Israeli interests creates a problem. Imagine a bogeyman Qaddafi figure in Egypt.

I would also say oil primarily.
Supply disruption (suez and pipeline), increased crude prices and of course domino effect.

Then of course the Israel question.

The US can not dictate who the next leader will be although some Egyptians will see El Bardaei as just that pawn sent by the US.
I can see how they would take exception to the return of this "prodigal son" that has lead a cushioned life abroad.

My main fear is a scenario similar to Algeria 15 years ago.

Tunisia can and will withstand the test of a strong islamist party being part of the political scene (as in turkey) They have a long established secular tradition and a very highly educated population and a small country.

Egyptian society is much much more conservative, very populous and much poorer. I really hope that the US will not let them down if indeed a islamist leaning majority prevails at the next election.

you should watch this.

Answers to your question re the Israeli question
Typical patronizing discourse the Arab masses are sick of hearing

"Answers to your question re the Israeli question
Typical patronizing discourse the Arab masses are sick of hearing"

I can't watch that at the moment, what's the gist of the interview?

have just watched it on BBC world but am gmt +8 so will be available later to you.

Mortimer Zuckerman (major Israel lobbyist in Washington) pushing his agenda. Talk about scaremongering!

Please don't see this as an anti-Israel attack. We are all entitled to defend or corner. This is just to illustrate the amalgam in US policy. I do not understand how they can let someone who is clearly pushing the Israeli government agenda speak so loudly on prime television as an American voice.
How representative is he? Why let the Arab world think he is representative of the US opinion at large and not think the Arab world will take offense?

"Why let the Arab world think he is representative of the US opinion at large and not think the Arab world will take offense?"

I think that the whole world is aware that the US is very pro-Israel, the US will take Israeli interests and security very seriously and as I've already said will seemingly put Israel before an easy oil supply.

And that does link to one reason for their concern and interest over what is happening in Egypt.

yes we all know but still chocking to hear such a monolithic opinion so crudely articulated.

Great explanation from BadgersPaws. The geopolitical implications of this Egyptian situation are pretty crazy. It's also been very interesting to watch how the Obama administration has tried to keep up with events, torn between supporting an ally on the one hand and wanting to support democracy on the other. They're walking a difficult tightrope indeed.

Re. the original question: something I don't think's been mentioned is that Egypt is just one of a string of US-supported autocracies in the region, the most important of which is of course Saudi Arabia. If King Saud, or King Abdullah in Jordan, find their regimes crumbling, oil prices will spike and Israel will find itself surrounded by potentially much more hostile nations.

Also - and sorry to plug my little effort here - I've persuaded the educational news site I work for to let me run a special Egypt page www.theday.co.uk/home/special/252-egypt-special designed for students. It has background information and live news updates and I think (I hope) that it could be a really good way to get young people engaged with this really important story. Would love for people to tell me what they think!

Ferdie,

i didn't know that much about Egypt till all this kicked off so looking at your site it's well laid out and informative (if accurate). I'll have a closer look later - looks good from what i saw - especially for those young and old who don't have a good knowledge of the region and it's politics. Did it cover why the people are uprising - about how poor the country is and I read recently that many feel the country has regressed under Mubarak with literacy falling etc?

Thanks begonyabampot! Really kind comments. I've only put a little bit of background about Egypt on there at the moment - just so as not to swamp people with facts - but maybe I should put more? I could add more content tomorrow...

If you go back, be sure to check out the interview with an anti-government protester. Very interesting and inspiring...

Its also because The Us has very strong ties with Israel. Egypt (being in the border of israel) is at the moment an ally. But not surprisingly if the government is toppled its likely that what ever replaces it possibly The Brotherhood Of Islam will be more well...Muslim. Not good news for the Jews.

did you all happen to see that Swiss Banks have stated that there are 2 accounts held by Mubarak, $40BN (yes, that was BILLION) in one and $30BN in another

That is something like $6.5 MILLION a DAY each and every day over the term of his presidency. I over heard comments that this would make him the worlds second richest person on that alone..

He owns most of Sharm at least on top of this cash reserve!