Former US military official backs US move to unfreeze USD 195 mn in military aid in Reuters commentary piece: The debate on whether Washington should have released the USD 195 mn in military aid to Egypt it froze last year continues, with a former senior US military commander firmly advocating in favor of the move. Retired admiral Bruce Clingan, a former commander of US naval forces in Europe and in Africa, argues that supporting Egypt’s fight against terrorism and Daesh was too important, especially as the terrorist group has seen its home bases in Syria and Iraq overrun and have stepped up attacks in the region. Beyond actually engaging with Daesh in Sinai and Libya, Egypt is also a crucial logistical facilitator for US forces operating in the region. “Despite El Sisi’s record on human rights, it is still in the United States’ interests to support Egypt. Doing so will help hold the line against IS and prevent Egypt from turning to a country like Russia for security and economic cooperation,” he said. “Washington should adopt a two-track approach with Egypt, as it has historically done with Turkey, advancing security issues at the same time it pushes for improvements in human rights and democracy,” the piece recommends.

On the flipside, the Washington Post’s Ishaan Tharoor is out with an analysis piece criticizing the release of aid to Egypt. The piece notes that detentions and allegations of human rights violations continued despite the aid being suspended. It heavily relies on quotes from former Cairo bureau chief for the New York Times David Kirkpatrick’s upcoming book on the Obama administration’s tacit acceptance of the Rabaa violence.