The US and West’s aid package to Egypt and Tunisia is diabolically clever.
Both countries are revolutions in suspended animation. Egypt is currently a military junta.
The genius is, we look like we’re “helping” post-revolutionary governments while, in reality, we are financing and arming oppressors.
Maybe Obama IS smart.
2 Comments.
The US was giving Hosni $1 billion a year for his own use. Obama’s speech promised $1 billion or so, plus another $2 billion ‘facility.’
According to the linked NYT article, the G8 are promising upwards of $40 billion, officially to create jobs. I didn’t see where the article says the aid will be in the form of weapons to assist the junta maintain control.
Of course, if it really creates job, that will assist the junta to maintain control, but maybe that’s the easiest way to really help???
(Not that I think any of the assistance will really create jobs for the poor Egyptians without contacts in the junta, but the Times has a very optimistic article that will appear in next Sunday’s Magazine, so maybe.)
Indeed, by definition, any aid to any government props up that government.