From Foes to Friends: Evolution of the US-Egypt Bilateral Ties since the 1950s

Abstract

Nothing is permanent in the foreign policies of states except their respective interests. Multifaceted foreign policy goals determine the nature of bilateral relationships between countries. This paper examines the trajectory of bilateral ties between the United States of America (US) and Egypt in order to understand the evolution of this relationship from indifference or mild hostility to a close alliance. In the initial years of the Republic of Egypt in the 1950s, President Gamal Abdel Nasser forged strong economic and political ties with the erstwhile Soviet Union as the country was firmly placed in the Soviet camp. After its devastating defeat in the Arab-Israel war in 1967, Gamal Abdel Nasser completely cut off relations with the US and became further closer to the Soviets. In the 1970s, President Sadat transformed the country’s domestic and foreign policies by moving towards the US bloc. Following the signing of the Camp David Peace accords with Israel in 1979 under the US patronage, Egypt was firmly lodged in the US camp when it severed ties with the Soviet Union. As a result, the country emerged one of the largest recipients of the US economic and military assistance. The US-Egypt bilateral relations have generally remained consistent since then, and overall, the US has provided a total of over US$ 57 billion in economic aid and more than US$ 68 billion in military assistance to Egypt. For achieving its foreign policy objectives in the volatile Middle East, the US has allocated substantial foreign aid to Egypt during the last several decades while turning a blind eye to the its violation of democracy and its human rights abuses.