imagesIt has been close to three years since the ouster of Egypt’s long term President Hosni Mubarak, still the United States has no coherent strategy on how to deal with Egypt.

Last Tuesday night, in his State of the Union Address, the president briefly mentioned foreign policy; commenting that the U.S. was “supporting those who are willing to do the hard work of building democracy.” Ironically there was no mention of Egypt.

Currently, Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is consolidating political control in possible preparation for running for president in April’s presidential elections.  The president still has not articulated a coherent strategy toward Egypt signaling retreat by the U.S. in the region.

“This Egyptian debacle is a significant strategic failure for the United States,” wrote the New York Times columnist, Roger Cohen, earlier this week. “And of course, like red lines that proved not to be so red in Syria, it has sent a message of American retreat.”

Ever since the “Arab Spring” began in 2011, the administration consistently has had a muddled and chaotic strategy toward Egypt, as confusion permeates U.S. policy over whether we supported the ouster of Mubarak or not.

A few months after Mubarak resigned the president stated, “Let me be specific. First, it will be the policy of the United States to promote reform across the region, and to support transitions to democracy. That effort begins in Egypt and Tunisia, where the stakes are high – as Tunisia was at the vanguard of this democratic wave, and Egypt is both a longstanding partner and the Arab world’s largest nation. Both nations can set a strong example through free and fair elections, a vibrant civil society, accountable and effective democratic institutions, and responsible regional leadership.” 

This became even more confusing after Mubarak resigned and the Muslim Brotherhood came to power though parliamentary and presidential elections in ruling Egypt.   

Last summer the Egyptian military instituted a coup d’état in overthrowing the Muslim Brotherhood from power after millions of Egyptians poured into the streets protesting the abusive and dictatorial power of the Brotherhood. 

Since that time, the president and his administration have never articulated a coherent policy toward one of our strategic partners in the Middle East.  Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel seems to regularly speak with General Sisi, but the question is what the policy the administration is trying to pursue is? 

Every group in Egypt has virtually a negative opinion of the U.S., as the administration has alienated practically everyone.  Since the overthrow of the Mohamed Morsi government, the U.S. has no ambassador in Egypt and for that matter no strategy.

The U.S. needs a coherent Egyptian strategy, and for that matter a better Middle Eastern Strategy.

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