Russia-Egypt defense meeting signals growing military ties: Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu yesterday called for closer defense ties during talks with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki, two days after the two countries concluded a joint military drill in Egypt. Shoygu said the two governments should develop closer military and security links, particularly in efforts to counter terrorism and find international solutions for regional crises such as the Libya and Syria conflicts. Russia and Egypt have been holding joint military exercises since the end of October, prompting some commentators to opine on Moscow’s growing military involvement on the continent — especially in the wake of last month’s Russia-Africa summit. Russia sent two nuclear bombers to train in South Africa at the end of October, a move apparently timed to coincide with the opening of the summit. The Friendship Arrow air drill wrapped up on Sunday.

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