An Islamist Egypt should mean no more business as usual. The Islamist groups coasted to power not only on religious rhetoric, but also on sheer populism. Most Egyptians associate the economic reforms of the Mubarak era with corruption. When Mubarak privatized state-owned industries, he simply distributed them to his cronies. As the Arab Media Influence Report has demonstrated, the vast majority of Egyptians now seek a greater state role in daily life, with the government providing housing and jobs, setting salaries, and regulating prices. This is a formula for economic collapse that no amount of economic aid or loan forgiveness will avert.
Indeed, when the collapse comes, it is essential that Egyptians recognize that the only parties to blame for it are the Islamists who cared more about a social agenda than financial management. Under no circumstances should the United States provide any lifeline or act to preserve a hostile regime. Foreign aid is not an entitlement. Aid tied to the Camp David Accords should not continue if Egypt voids its commitments. Money is fungible; American taxpayers should not subsidize aid and development in Egypt if politicians in Cairo choose to invest in terrorism.
As the Obama administration plans to downsize the U.S. military, an Islamist, terror-sponsoring Egypt should give pause. Free—and secure—passage through the Suez Canal is essential to American security; the Pentagon ought to be prepared to defend that right militarily if need be, but it cannot if it lacks ships, equipment, and expeditionary forces.
As Egypt turns sour, politicians will question the past. This is not only counterproductive, but also wrong: The status quo was not tenable; decades of deferred reform had limited the possibilities of post-Mubarak success. However, to not plan for the future would be policy malpractice of the highest order.
This blog is a part of an Enterprise symposium, “Egyptian Revolution: One Year Later.”
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