National Security Team Advises Suspension of Aid to Egypt

President Barak Obama’s National Security Team is strongly encouraging the suspension of millions of dollars in aid to Egypt. The U.S. has made several attempts at restraining the Egytian military over the last month, but the calls were just met with attacks on Morsy supporters. Obama has since canceled a joint military exercise and called for a review of U.S. aid to Egypt.
Currently $1.5 billion per year is going to Egypt, and $1.3 billion of that sum is given to the Egyptian military. The remaining amount goes to various groups and to the government. Should aid be suspended, only the money that is going to the government would be stopped, and could even be re-established if a democratic government in installed. However, officials report that Obama’s advisors are suggesting a cut in aid to the military as well, but would recommend that security along the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip border be continued. Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council commented, “The president has not made a decision to suspend or terminate our assistance to Egypt beyond what the administration has already announced. The national security team continues to review all of our assistance to Egypt.” Obama is not expected to make a decision until after Congress declared its stance on military involvement in Syria.