The US and Russia are in a tug of war for power and influence over Egypt, Emad El Din Adib writes in a column penned for El Watan. Each country comes with its own set of carrots and sticks: The US uses its economic and military aid as leverage to mold Egypt’s policies on Israel, human rights, and our ties with Russia. Russia is taking advantage of its tourism market and the planned Russian Industrial Zone. Adib seems to think that Egypt has done a good job so far of balancing the two powers and benefiting from what each has to offer, but claims that the balance will be more difficult to maintain now as Moscow and Washington are upping their efforts to undermine Egypt’s sovereignty.

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