With the US providing nearly one fifth of Egypt’s annual military budget in the form of military aid as well as massive training roles, one would assume they would have enormous influence over the nation’s armed forces. One would, however, be mistaken.
Rather officials concede that the US has had extremely minimal influence over the Egyptian military at a time when that military is on the streets of Cairo contending with a massive uprising. The best they could say is that it has made it easy for the US to get top defense officials on the phone.
But tens of billions of dollars over the past 30 years (indeed $1.3 billion annually) is an awful lot to pay for phone calls, and the Pentagon’s determination to continue those weapons deliveries in the face of government-led crackdowns on protesters and journalists has provided no small measure of embarrassment.
It comes at an important time, however, and demonstrates once again that foreign military aid is not a reliable way to “buy” influence. With Congress reexamining the foreign aid budget in the face of a massive deficit, this can only be another argument against such entangling deals.
It seems you are a bit naive to believe everything the US government says. I'd say that Washington says one thing but does another as usual. I'd also say that the US doesn't really want Mubarak to step down, and it is dragging its feet as much as it can. Remember that Israel is all for the tyrant, and the dog only obeys its tail.
It is imperative to show the enslaved, tortured and oppressed that Empire of Terror is helpless in controlling thugs it owns, trains and supplies with weapons and ammo to kill their citizens. Billy's wife even managed to show a "smile", doesn't she appear human?
US blows more on a tiny place with few inhabitants and does not even receive a hanky to wipe the spittle off the pres's face when he asks for a temporary halt to theft.
This kind of "aid" by the US Government is not intended entirely to buy support from local officials or Military officers. Although I am sure enough of it reaches the correct pockets, it is mostly supposed to be spent buying weapons from the US that are not always new or modern. Like the M60 Tanks seen in Egyptian streets that were made 40 years ago.