It seems Russia's new motto is to strike the iron while it's hot.
Reveling in what Russia perceives is its new global position, after brokering a 'resolution' to the Syria conflict and the Snowden affair, its new plan seems to be to move in where US allies seem to teeter between old alliances and new orders.
The latest target: Egypt. The revolution of the past two years has left Egypt reeling from abrupt changes. While it is trying to restore order, it is also trying to move forward without falling back into the trap of a military regime whose figurehead is a puppet of the US administration.
Recent spats between Egypt and the US, mainly to do with the US withdrawal of funds it usually gives Egypt, has prompted it to quarrel with what used to be its chief ally.
Russia sent a contingent of foreign policy, headed by foreign minister Sergei Lavrov to ply the Egyptian government in return for a deal that would see Russia become an arms supplier to the beleaguered country.
Before anyone can make inferences as to the outcome of such high level talks however, one should take notice of the fact that Egypt has allowed such talks, and that the level of talks is unprecedented.
Egypt's connection to Russia goes back decades to a time before Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel. That peace treaty resulted in the US funding of Egypt to the tune of more than one billion a year.
The Obama administration has decided to withdraw that money now, to protest the treatment and ostracism of the Muslim Brotherhood, which has seen a reversal of fortune with precedents only seen during Nasser's rule. But the withdrawal of funds at such a crucial time could very well have set the stage for Egypt's rekindling of what once was a sturdy relationship. It is also unclear, whether the new military rulers will continue to honor the peace treaty signed by Sadat.
Although the future of Egypt's fortunes will only be revealed after the coming elections, promised by the current military rulers, there is no assurance that the US can retain its precarious foothold in Egypt.
Change is just that. If the US can anticipate what come next for Egypt, then it will retain its relevance in the region.
Op-Ed
Partial Source : France 24/ 11.14.13
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