Russia tries to drive wedge in Egypt-US relations

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is seeking to “drive a wedge between the US and Egypt,” Herbert London writes for The Washington Times. London says it is apparent that Russia is now a supporter of Egypt and its government and Cairo has strengthened its ties to Moscow and that this followed the backdrop of strained ties with the Obama administration. “Russia is eager to pounce, producing diplomatic and military carrots that undermine U.S.-Egyptian ties,” he says. He adds: “Russian ambitions are transparent. But it is incumbent on the U.S. State Department to convey the real motives of the Russians and Iranians to Egyptian and Sunni leaders that was so well expressed at the Riyadh meeting by Mr. Trump. Moreover, the Trump administration should extend itself in offering arms to the Egyptian military fighting the war against al Qaeda and ISIS in the Sinai and use its diplomatic influence to admonish the Egyptians about Russian influence in the Middle East.”