U.S. Pulls Back on Aid to Egypt

Money talks. The Obama administration has signaled its disapproval of Egypt’s ruling generals by cutting military aid to Cairo, a State Department spokeswoman said Wednesday. It’s unclear how much of the annual $1.5 billion program will be halted (which explains why the White House on Tuesday denied reports that “all” assistance would be cut) but the official noted that “large-scale military systems,” for example, will no longer be funded. The diplomatic maneuver is seen as a response to the generals’ violent crackdown on peaceful supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. Controversial in some policy circles, the decision will be reversed when Egypt makes “credible progress” toward establishing a civilian government.