Egypt is a vital partner in protecting U.S. National Security interests both regionally and worldwide as a steadfast military partner that brings tremendous value to the U.S. as an ally. Egypt is an Arab nation situated at a critical crossroad of the world and a steadfast proponent of the peace process. Its military has aided the U.S. military by conducting joint training and operations for more than 30 years; protecting both nations by sharing intelligence; by providing vitally needed access for U.S. Forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan despite disagreeing with the Iraq mission. Egyptian troops of the Egyptian II Corps fought with U.S. soldiers in Desert Storm and their military and intelligence services have been indispensable in the fight against Islamic extremists.
Military Cooperation and Interoperability
To develop critical interoperability U.S. and Egyptian military forces conduct biannual joint training exercises in Egypt. Operation Bright Star, as these exercises are known, is intended to strengthen the bond between the countries’ militaries and better maintain regional stability.
Though the first exercise in 1980 involved only ground forces from the two nations, the operation grew over time to include air, ground and naval operations with more than 78,000 troops. With the program’s success, other nations began to join, and it now involves 10 countries: the U.K., Greece, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, along with the U.S. and Egypt.
Speaking on military cooperation between the Egypt and the United States, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates explained, “Our own military has benefited from the interaction with the Egyptian armed forces, one of the most professional and capable in the region."
The joint exercise Bright Star has been a fantastic and enduring opportunity for our two militaries, which proved beneficial when Egyptian and U.S. forces fought together in the first Gulf war. Egyptian and American officers have shared professional experiences and built friendships based on decades of service together in these exercises.
Terrorism
After facing the challenges of its own domestic terrorism, Egypt was among the first nations in the world to call for a serious and coordinated international response to terrorism, many years before September 11, 2001. Egypt’s leadership, security, and intelligence agencies have worked closely with their American allies to protect against and respond to terrorist threats around the world, sharing intelligence and information that helps to protect both the U.S. and Egypt’s national security interests. Egypt’s religious leadership has also actively engaged in the war of ideas and undermined the attempts of violent extremists to give their crimes religious sanction.
The Gulf War
In 1990 and 1991 President Mubarak responded favorably to President Bush’s request for Arab troops to remove Iraqi troops from Kuwait. President Mubarak’s leadership was essential in gaining support from the other Arab nations in the region and paved the way for the formation of the international coalition that repelled the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Egypt contributed about 35,000 troops to liberate Kuwait -- the largest Arab contingent in Operation Desert Storm and the 4th largest contingent among the entire coalition.
The Suez Canal
The Suez Canal is among the most strategically important waterways in the world. If U.S. ships could not pass through the Suez to support missions in Iraq or Afghanistan, it would create a major logistical and strategic burden on American forces, requiring the redeployment of a significant amount of assets.
Strategically, the Suez gives the U.S. Military a major advantage in mobility. In 2003, after the 4th Infantry Division was denied passage to northern Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom through Turkey, they utilized the Suez Canal for passage to reach Kuwait and enter Iraq from the south. If that had not been possible, they would have had to transit from the Eastern Mediterranean all the way around Africa.
The Suez saves U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars. It allows for transports and shipments of materials to move easily and quickly, ultimately spending less time and fuel on the journey from the East coast of the U.S. to our major theaters of operation in the Middle East.
In addition, landing and over-flight rights for American airlift in Egypt are vitally important for resupply of U.S. forces in the region. Without that access, U.S. strategic airlift would be severely limited.