Putin exploits tense U.S.-Egypt ties with $3.5 billion weapons deal

Special to WorldTribune.com

With its recently-announced $3.5 billion deal to buy weapons from Russia, Cairo has undoubtedly undermined the U.S. Middle East policy and strategy.

Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Sisi with Russian President Valdimir Putin. / AFP

Though the agreement is preliminary, it is expected to face no major obstacles in the final delivery of the arms, including MiG-25 fighter jets, S-300 and S-400 air defense missile systems, and unspecified types of submarines.

The U.S. froze several arms programs with Egypt after Gen. Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s coup to overthrow the Muslim Brotherhood President Muhammad Morsi .

When El-Sisi decided to run for presidency himself, Washington appeared to be lukewarm. That’s when Vladimir Putin saw an opportunity to drive a wedge between Cairo and Washington.

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Putin exploits tense U.S.-Egypt ties with $3.5 billion weapons deal added by World Tribune on September 30, 2014
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