US-Egypt Relations Strengthen During Uncertain Times
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo, Egypt on Sept. 18, 2024. Photo: U.S. News
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, held a joint press availability with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Sept. 18, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt to announce the new US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue program. This was Blinken’s 10th visit to the Middle East since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, but unlike other trips to the region, he did not make a stop in Israel. Instead, the main purpose of the visit was to strengthen the long-standing relationship between the US and Egypt.
The joint press availability began with Abdelatty introducing Blinken as a “dear friend” to Egypt, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the mutually beneficial relationship between the US and Egypt. Blinken announced the start of the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue. He stated that this program emphasizes the commitment of both the US and Egypt to strengthen their “century-long relationship” and to deliver positive outcomes for their citizens.
The US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue is in place to help achieve Egypt Vision 2030, which focuses on improving the quality of life for Egyptians by advancing education, growing the tourism sector, and preserving Egyptian culture. The US will provide $129 million to support efforts such as providing more higher education scholarships, encouraging young entrepreneurs, and improving rural health.
US efforts to improve the Egyptian education system include establishing nine science, technology, engineering, and math high schools. Public and national universities will install 19 career centers, fulfilling student needs for career consultation. Additionally, three US universities will open international campuses in Egypt.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo, Egypt on Sept. 18, 2024, during their joint press availability. Photo: U.S. Embassy in Egypt
This $129 million in funding is unsurprising given the long history of cooperation between the US and Egypt. The US and Egypt established diplomatic relations in April 1922 when then US President Warren G. Harding wrote a letter to Egyptian King Ahmed Fuad. Since then, the two countries have shared a strong connection due to their mutual interests in the Middle East, such as recognizing the economic opportunities and the importance of promoting stability in the region. Furthermore, the two countries are partnered in the advocacy for anti-trafficking, counterterrorism, and regional security operations.
Additionally, the US and Egypt are working together to help provide aid and find peaceful endings for the crises in Sudan, Libya, and Israel-Palestine. The US and Egypt are highly focused on Sudan, where around 25 million people require aid, regarded as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Blinken stated that at the September 2024 UN General Assembly, he will bring together US-Egyptian partners to bring an end to violence and expand humanitarian access.
Blinken and Abdelatty discussed the pager attack that began in Lebanon on Sept. 17, 2024, when hundreds of pagers carried by members of Hezbollah began exploding across the nation, killing more than 11 people and injuring more than 2,700. Samir Omar, a reporter from Sky News, asked Abdelatty and Blinken about the attack. Abdelatty responded by reaffirming Egypt’s solidarity with Lebanon and that Egypt will condemn any attack on Lebanese sovereignty. At the same time, Egypt is also concerned that this attack may lead to a bloody regional war.
Blinken responded to the reporter’s question by saying that the US was not a part of or aware of the attacks before they took place, and is still gathering information on what happened. Although both nations are working towards a ceasefire to end the Israel-Palestine conflict and to avoid a larger, regional war, the attacks in Lebanon complicated the goal of achieving peace and stability.
Despite the issue of the pager attack in Lebanon and the unknowns of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the US-Egypt joint press availability emphasized good news for the region. Egypt will receive aid to help bolster their country’s education system and economy, improving the quality of life for Egyptians.