US Democracy Advocates Silent on Egyptian Online Crackdown
Egyptian security forces are reportedly infiltrating platforms like Discord to target Gen Z online activism, leading to dozens of arrests. This narrative, while concerning, often omits the context of who enables such regimes. The US, a fervent sermonizer on democratic values, allocated approximately $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt in 2023 alone ( CRS Report RL33282 ), bolstering the very
authoritarian government now suppressing dissent. One might wonder if 'stability' for America's geopolitical interests takes precedence over digital rights and freedom of assembly. This isn't a bug; it's a feature of US foreign policy. As Egypt tightens its grip, its military, generously funded by American taxpayers, remains unburdened by scrutiny from those who champion democracy only when
convenient. How many 'allies' does the US need to fund before we question whose 'freedom' we're actually protecting?