Bribery: An American Standard
Since the Egyptian revolution, Washington has been scrambling for leverage in Cairo. Losing longtime US puppet Hosni Mubarak was obviously a major blow to US imperialists who aim to have the policies of Arab states reflect American demands as opposed to the will of the people.
With the Islamist victory in Egypt’s slogging democracy, the leading Arab country wrested back some measure of independence. But Washington has one more trick up its sleeve: bribery. The Wall Street Journal:
American diplomats are closing in on an agreement to dole out $1 billion in debt relief to Egypt, part of a gilded charm offensive that Washington hopes will help shore up the country’s economy and prevent its new Islamist leadership from drifting beyond America’s foreign-policy orbit.
Ah, yes – we’re “charming” them. As Esam Al-Amin described current US policy towards Egypt: “the strategy is to give the Islamic rising powers a chance to govern as long as they agree to: keep the Americans in, the Chinese and Russians out, the Iranians down, and the Israelis safe.” If they don’t agree, America could rely on the use of force. But this could backfire if used too soon, the thinking goes. So one thing America can do to – ahem, nudge them in the right direction, is to throw money at them. Make them owe us.
Consider this ongoing subsidization of the Egyptian government a counter-measure to the Arab Spring. Jacob Hornberger:
Morsi’s election came under military rule, which obviously skews the vote, given that people have to factor in the possibility that the military was monitoring how they voted. Moreover, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that Morsi is simply assuming the same dictatorial powers exercised by military dictator Hosni Mubarak, leaving the military machine in its dominant and privileged position in Egyptian society and simply putting military officers who will be loyal to Morsi in charge. Morsi has also abrogated to himself legislative powers, especially since the military dissolved the legislature just before the elections.
It’s nothing less than what a Don Corleone or Tony Soprano might do to muscle themselves a more profitable outcome and generate leverage – backed up, of course, with an offer Egypt can’t refuse from the world’s leading merchant of military violence.
Jim Bovard
September 4th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Actually, this relatively small amount of aid is a cheap price to pay to protect Egypt against foreign meddling.
JLS
September 4th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
ALL foreign aid is bribery. ALL lobbying money given to politicians is bribery.
skulz fontaine
September 4th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Okay my fellow Americans, open up those wallets. Uncle Sam has payouts to make…
TooTrue
September 4th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Yes meddling is always worthwhile when its aim is to prevent meddling.
Robert Kaercher
September 4th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
You can bet that this $1 billion is just the tip of the iceberg. Who knows how much tax $$ were doled out by the CIA via who knows what kind of channels. Nice to have it confirmed, though, that as we all struggle to make ends meet we're shelling out yet some more "foreign aid."
Sol
September 4th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
So a bankrupt country is going to give another bankrupt country more loot.
Tell me where in the Constitution it says that our government masters are allowed to steal money from the American people and give that money to foreign governments.
If some of the people who founded the would overthrow this POS government in 2 seconds.
Walter Col
September 5th, 2012 at 2:59 am
Hey, no sweat Skulz, our leaders just go to China with boxes of bonds to sell and we get what we need. Since our leaders have no intention of paying their dept it´s a really good deal.
MvGuy
September 5th, 2012 at 5:05 am
It's a joke post right Jim…??? 100% facetious… Right..?? You haven't become corruption friendly, have you… Isn't it the antithesis of moral action AND democracy too bribing the leaders of Egypt to act in ways good for US but NOT for Egypt…??? Why else would a bribe be required…??? (Actually …ALL the dirty dealing in Egypt seems to be about our No.1 Welfare Queen)……
We have the whole world bribing our politicians…….Why not bribe "theirs" brand of Kool Aid…………. Isn't "inducement" democracy wonderful……… All the action is hidden and under the table… Why not spread our printed wealth around……… Disgusting…!!! Lew Rockwell is right … Gov = crime here in America…………
MvGuy
September 5th, 2012 at 5:40 am
How about…???
ALL foreign aid is corruption. ALL lobbying money given to politicians is corruption. Is ALL government just successful corruption…???
liberranter
September 5th, 2012 at 9:00 am
Precisely.
liberranter
September 5th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Tell me where in the Constitution it says that our government masters are allowed to steal money from the American people and give that money to foreign governments.
How quaint, Sol, pretending that "that goddamned piece of paper" has any power or legal authority anymore.
theCL Report: Government is a Parasite
September 5th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
[...] Bribery: An American Standard [...]
Michael
September 6th, 2012 at 7:39 am
"But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain — that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist."
~ Lysander Spooner
john
September 7th, 2012 at 4:25 am
While we have the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) to prevent bribery, our government is doing exactly that. It was once said by a politician "My friends can do as they please, for my enemies there is the law." Is foreign relations all about money, after all? If so, I believe we are doomed to failure.
Another politician once said "The United States has no friends, only interests."
liberranter
September 7th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
While we have the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) to prevent bribery, our government is doing exactly that.
Yep. They never got around to passing a DCPA (Domestic Corrupt Practices Act). Gee, I wonder how that slipped by…
@tycejonesdesign
September 7th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
You should see this:
http://cirrusthreads.bigcartel.com/product/the-ci…
Lisha
September 11th, 2012 at 12:40 am
It’s nothing less than what a Don Corleone or Tony Soprano might do to muscle themselves a more profitable outcome and generate leverage – backed up, of course, with an offer Egypt can’t refuse from the world’s leading merchant of military violence.
Obama: Egypt is Neither an Enemy Nor an Ally -- News from Antiwar.com
September 13th, 2012 at 10:30 am
[...] billion to Egypt every year, mostly in security assistance, and offering even more in debt relief, apparently as a bribe to keep “American interests” a [...]
Obama: Egypt Is Neither an Enemy Nor an Ally – Antiwar « Stop Making Sense
September 14th, 2012 at 11:18 am
[...] billion to Egypt every year, mostly in security assistance, and offering even more in debt relief, apparently as a bribe to keep “American interests” a [...]
Americna standad | Greenovationha
September 25th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
[...] Bribery: An American Standard « Antiwar.com Blog [...]
Tamer
October 24th, 2012 at 9:31 am
But this could backfire if used too soon, the thinking goes. So one thing America can do to – ahem, nudge them in the right direction, is to throw money at them. Make them owe us.
sohbet
April 3rd, 2013 at 5:33 am
E MODA ÖZELLER There really needs to be a reliable, consistent counter-news source who has the confidence and trust of US victim nations to get the straight scoop from their point of view.