CIAO DATE: 06/2010
May 2010
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Recently leaked documents detail an exchange between Washington and Cairo regarding the future of U.S. economic assistance to Egypt. The documents indicate that the Obama administration has welcomed Cairo's idea of ending traditional assistance in favor of creating a new endowment, "The Egyptian-American Friendship Foundation." This idea has a long, checkered history and, if implemented, will be bad for both American taxpayers and the Egyptian people. The administration should work with Egypt to craft alternatives that advance common objectives, including democratic reform.
Resource link: Changing the Paradigm of U.S. Assistance to Egypt: Alternatives to the 'Endowment' Idea [PDF] - 15K