Egypt's Crisis Has Consequences For U.S. Diplomacy

US Credibility 'In Tatters' Over Egypt Crisis -- Kim Ghattas, BBC

On the streets of Cairo it's not just a fledgling democracy that lies in ruin. US policy too lies in tatters - in the eyes of many - or at least America's reputation and credibility.

Since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, the US has struggled to strike a balance between support for the tenuous progress towards democracy and protection of its national security interests.

The White House has tried hard to work with whoever is in power in Egypt but has ended up with no friends and little influence in Cairo.

Washington's recent diplomatic efforts in Egypt have failed one after the other. Up until his removal from power, the US tried to counsel Mr Morsi to accept a compromise with the army and the protesters.

The US also appealed to the military not to remove Mr Morsi. After the coup, Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns travelled to Cairo twice to help mediate between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood. But even getting an audience in Cairo these days is a hard task for US officials.

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My Comment: On the international stage optics is important .... in the Middle East and elsewhere this is the perception that the U.S. is giving while Egypt burns. Is U.S. credibility in tatters .... for the moment no .... but it is getting there.

Update: Some have the opposite opinion who believe that this will have no impact on U.S. policy .... Egypt crisis not likely to damage U.S. security interests in region -- L.A. Times