Egypt unrest puts US military ties to the test

 Egypt unrest puts US military ties to the test: "Upheaval in Egypt has raised fresh questions about the role of US military aid in promoting American interests, as Washington struggles to distance itself from President Hosni Mubarak's autocratic rule.
For Egyptian protesters, F-16 fighters buzzing overhead and Abrams tanks rumbling through the streets symbolize Washington's long-running ties to the Egyptian regime, even as President Barack Obama presses Mubarak to relinquish power.
But for Washington, supplying weapons and training to Egypt and other countries is touted as a wise investment, extending American influence and safeguarding the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
US military aid to Cairo, amounting to $1.3 billion a year, represents one of the most prominent and costly examples of how Washington conducts diplomacy through its vast military and defense industry.
But the approach carries risks, as the aid does not ensure Washington's word will be followed while linking the United States to repressive regimes and human rights abuses, from Saudi Arabia to Uzbekistan."

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