The U.S. should channel more development aid to Egypt while increasing its oversight over the military assistance it sends to the country - or even reducing that aid altogether, some critics have noted, according to the Boston Globe.
“Egypt has a real need for foreign aid, but not the kind of foreign aid they are getting,’’ the newspaper quotes Geoffrey Wawro, history professor and director of the Military History Center at the University of North Texas. “They need more butter than guns. They need development aid, but development aid does not serve as a stimulus plan for American factories.’’
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) has also urged Congress and the Obama administration to consider scaling up its civilian aid to the country and working more to “guarantee that American military assistance is accomplishing its goals “
The United States provides up to USD1.5 billion military aid to Egypt annually. Meantime, the White House has requested for USD250 million in civilian economic assistance for the country for 2011.
The United States is reviewing all its aid to Egypt in light of the continuing crisis in the country, which has escalated to violent clashes between supporters of President Hosni Mubarak and protesters calling for his ouster.
>> Gibbs: US Reviewing Miltary, Development Aid to Egypt
At least two key U.S. legislators have spoken against cutting all U.S. aid to Egypt, noting that the country is an important ally in the Middle East and North Africa.
>> Obama’s Response to Egypt Unrest Draws Bipartisan Support from US Lawmakers
