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Summary:
This report provides an overview of Egyptian politics and current issues in U.S.Egyptian relations. It briefly provides a political history of modern Egypt, an overview of its political institutions, and a discussion of the prospects for democratization in Egypt. This report will be updated regularly. U.S. policy toward Egypt is aimed at maintaining regional stability, improving bilateral relations, continuing military cooperation, and sustaining the March 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. Successive Administrations have long viewed Egypt's leaders as a moderating influence in the Middle East, though in recent years, there have been increasing U.S. calls for Egypt to democratize. Congressional views of U.S.-Egyptian relations vary. Many lawmakers view Egypt as a stabilizing force in the region, but some Members would like the United States to pressure Egypt to implement political reforms, improve its human rights record, and take a more active role in reducing Arab-Israeli tensions. The United States has provided Egypt with an annual average of over $2 billion in economic and military foreign assistance since 1979. The Administration has requested $1.3 billion in military aid for Egypt in FY2009 -- the same amount it received in FY2008. For FY2009, the Administration is requesting $200 million in ESF for Egypt, a notable decrease from previous fiscal years. According to the U.S. State Department's FY2009 Congressional Budget Justification, "FY 2009 economic assistance funds for Egypt will decrease from the FY 2008 level, reflecting a more balanced, mature bilateral relationship consisting of foreign assistance and commercial linkages." There are several pieces of pending legislation on Egypt before the 110th Congress. Among them, H.Res. 1303, referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on June 24, 2008, encourages the Egyptian government, among other things, to honor its commitment to repeal the state of emergency in order to allow for the full consolidation of the rule of law in Egypt and take the steps necessary to fully implement and protect the rights of religious minorities as full citizens.
