International Democracy Promotion: The Role of International Actors in Democratization
Introduction
The relationship between the US and Egypt in the international system cannot be overemphasized. Despite the fact that Egypt has faced a number of issues in the recent past, the United States remains a committed ally of the Arab nation. It is projected that the relationship between the two countries is bound to stretch into the decades due to issues of common interest. One of the areas that the two countries have a common is in the area of the military. Military aid is a key component that ties the two nations together. The US has continued to provide military support to Egypt because of its strategic positioning to the Middle East.
The relations that Egypt has had with the US have helped to be one of the most economically stable nations. When military aid is provided, there are other aspects that are considered. For instance, Egypt has had one of the most vibrant economies due to the support it has received from its allies in the west. However, uncertain times in the Arab nation have affected its relations with some of its partners like the US. For instance, the Arab spring in the nation almost made it to collapse due to dictatorial tendencies by the former regime. Despite the challenges, the US has continued to support its ally though the level of support has significantly reduced. Egypt has played an important role in linking the US with the Middle East due to its perceived influence. Most of the military equipment that Egypt has received in the past have emanated from the west. Even though the US has sometimes put a caveat on some aid, the military has significantly remained unchanged.
In the second quarter of the year 2012, the US Congress significantly reduced economic aid to Egypt. Military aid remained unchanged with most of the delivery being effected on schedule and based on the inherent agreements. Then two nations mutually benefit from their relationship. Case in point is that while the US provides military materials to Egypt, it benefits economically. Egypt buys most of the military equipment from the US companies essentially boosting the US economy. On the other hand, the US finds it easy to undertake its activities in the Egyptian territory.
The Suez Canal is of critical importance to the US because it aids it to transport its product to the Middle East. Consequently, the US has continued to use the Egyptian territory to undertake its military orientations. Though the Arab world continues to face a number of institutional changes through the revolution, the US has continued to support the ongoing democratization process. President Obama has particularly supported calls for the Arab world to respect the rule of law and the will of the people. The US Congress has been vocal on cutting aid to some of its allies in the Middle East. However, such tendencies have been refuted due to the strategic influence of such nations to the US.
Conclusion
The US continues to be a strong ally of Egypt, despite the many changes that have continued to take place. The US benefits economically because Egypt buys some of the military materials from the US companies not to mention using the Suez Canal to access the Middle East. Egypt, on the other hand, has continued to benefit from increased economic and military aid.
