Top US general makes first visit to Egypt since aid cut: Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of the US Central Command and the top US military commander in the Middle East, landed in Egypt yesterday as part of a Middle East tour. McKenzie met with Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki, according to a statement from the military spokesperson. The two agreed to strengthen joint military cooperation and increase joint exercises between the countries.

The US wants us to know we’re still firm friends on security: McKenzie’s visit marks the first for a top US official since the Biden administration announced plans to cut USD 130 mn in aid to Egypt over human rights concerns. That’s not to say we’re not still receiving US arms, though: The State Department green-lit the sale of up to USD 2.5 bn-worth of American fighter jets and radar systems to Egypt just a few weeks back. “The US is committed to helping Egypt build its capabilities to face threats to its security,” McKenzie told Ahram Online in an interview, while emphasizing to reporters shortly before landing that human rights would be on the agenda in talks, according to Reuters.

With caveats: “My message will be the inherent superiority of US [weapons] systems and our desire to maintain a close partnership with Egypt, which would necessarily be affected if they executed large weapons sales with Russia,” Reuters quoted McKenzie as saying to reporters. Egypt's imports of arms from Russia, France, Germany and Italy have surged in recent years.

IN OTHER DIPLOMACY NEWS:

• Climate cooperation with the US: Foreign minister and COP27 president Sameh Shoukry discussed with US climate envoy John Kerry establishing a joint climate action group to coordinate efforts ahead of this year’s climate conference in Sharm El Sheikh, according to a foreign ministry statement.
• President Abdel Fattah El Sisi discussed boosting trade and mutual investments with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in a phone call yesterday, according to an Ittihadiya statement.