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Washington’s Tepid Response to Drama in Egypt
The US response to the crisis in Egypt has so far been tepid, a simple plea for no more violence. Middle East expert Michael Hanna explains why Washington is so quiet to anchor Marco Werman.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Egypt’s President Mohammad Morsi meeting in Cairo last month. (Photo: REUTERS/Egyptian Presidency/Handout)
Washington’s response to the drama in Egypt has not been very loud.
The State Department says the administration is urging a genuine dialogue, and an end to violence.
But some say the US could be doing a lot more.
“Silence, or a tepid response, is interpreted in many ways,” says Michael Hanna, a fellow at the New York think-tank, The Century Foundation. “And it is primarily seen (by Egyptians) as acquiescence.”
“It’s important to remember that these crises are always going to be solved by Egyptians,” says Hanna, “but that’s not to say the United States and the international community are unimportant.”