An Islamic State terrorist holds a flag with the group's insignia.. (photo credit:REUTERS)
Washington Post: U.S. military chief pays a visit to Cairo as the Sinai militancy intensifies
CAIRO — Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the top U.S. military officer, made his second trip to Egypt in two months this weekend, a visit that underscored growing concern about Islamic State-linked militants and ongoing efforts to address friction in the countries’ military partnership.
During his overnight stay in Cairo, Dunford met with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi and Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Hegazy, the country’s chief of defense. It was the second time this week that a senior U.S. official met with Egyptian leaders here, following Secretary of State John F. Kerry’s earlier visit. The head of U.S. Central Command also held talks in Cairo recently.
The visits underscore the difficult balance that the Obama administration is seeking to strike with Egypt, a historic anchor of U.S. efforts to establish stability in the Middle East but whose heavy-handed, authoritarian tactics have alienated Western allies.
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WNU editor: These concerns are justified. The U.S. has a stake in this conflict .... to begin, they have provided billions in military aid to the Egyptian military for decades. There is also the issue of Israel, the stability of the Egyptian government, and the Suez Canal. An Islamic State toe-hold in the Sinai will only inevitably spread into Egypt's urban centres .... and beyond. And if that happens .... the resulting conflict and refugee crisis would pale in comparison to what is happening right now in Iraq/Syria/and Libya.
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