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U.S. Relationship With Egypt at Risk?

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    Foundation for the Defense of Democracies’ Clifford May and Center for Security Policy’ Frank Gaffney on how the protests in Egypt could impact th...

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Egypt's government asking the International Monetary Fund to postpone the country's request for a point four point eight billion dollar law.

This has thousands of protesters took to the streets in Cairo again today.

And careers where security officials say masked gunman did fire on the protesters at least nine people were wounded.

Joining us now president of the foundation for the defense of democracy is Clifford May Frank Gaffney founder president of the Center for Security Policy.

Let me start clip from -- may we few.

What is going on with president Morrissey and Egypt.

To what degree can we rely on him is a friend.

In the region.

Your assessment.

I think he's made a strategic retreat but not enough I think he's planning to use the draft constitution to give himself the powers I would say dictatorial power powers that he seeks.

I think we have to be very careful I I don't think it's likely that a Muslim Brotherhood president of Egypt.

Is going to participate in a pluralistic democracy.

We have seen Muslim Brotherhood.

Figures come to power -- the ballot box -- happy to do that we've yet to see one leave power through the ballot box and until we do.

It's only a theory that it can happen.

But importantly what we have seen is president Morrissey remain with and the Muslim Brotherhood remains -- -- pledge of recognition to Israel to leave it intact.

What -- recognize if -- -- is only read the of the peace treaty.

But what are really the options if more -- -- the military to attack Israel personal they might not go seconds they did they'd probably come back defeated and humiliated that's simply not in his interest.

He was helpful in terms of the cease fire but again I'm not sure he had a lot of other good options be told Hamas just keep on firing.

Missiles at Israel until until all hell breaks lose all hell would -- broken -- the Israelis would have come in on the ground.

So now we're involved too much credit.

Not I think -- exactly right what we're watching is a sophisticated.

Political operation engaging in tactical adjustments.

You know Lennon -- -- -- -- not describing the Obama administration.

Will and have been so many tactical adjustments on the part of the Obama administration that what we're seeing is at least one step backwards for every two steps forward it's the Obama administration seems to be mostly in full.

You know forward -- but here's the thing.

When you're talking about.

What they're doing vis a vis the protesters.

And accommodating their concerns -- when you talk about what they're doing vis a -- This sort of peace agreement with Israel when you talk about what they're doing with respect to cease fires and Hamas.

This is all.

-- It will not I believe be the long term policy of the -- Muslim Brotherhood because they are committed.

To war against us I mean we have that from their own documents.

There destruction of this country western civilization sounds crazy but that's their strategy.

We are clear that they are dead set against Israel Hamas is of course -- franchise and it seeks the destruction of Israel and these are simply.

Adjustments.

On the road to that long term sort of goals.

Let's talk about a couple of quick adjustments are so some adjustments quickly if we make -- -- first.

F 1620.

At sixteen story of them to be sent.

To Egypt.

Some considerable concern being expressed on Washington DC your thoughts.

I cannot see what good can possibly come at this moment of sending F sixteens and tanks.

To to Egypt I just don't understand that I think it should be held back.

I think you can talk about -- later but what what used to they have especially at a time when Morrissey has been ordering his troops to arrest civilians in Egypt just doesn't make any sense as sense to me.

John they're plotting the former national director of intelligence.

Director of National Intelligence saying -- -- Last night that he thinks it's important that -- engagement and engagement is positive in and of itself your thoughts.

Engagement with people who seek again -- destruction.

Is not -- especially when it's not just engagement.

This is -- of the nation.

This is enrichment.

We're now being told this is going to be arming.

It's certainly empowering and probably emboldened -- skies and no good can come of that it's folly and I think what we're seeing in Libya.

In Egypt in Tunisia and Yemen.

Probably in serious we've got about fifteen seconds -- and dirt quickly.

-- we've just received word that the president is recognized in this hearing up Syrian opposition coalition and opposition to the Assad regime.

A positive development.

Again engagement with the wrong guys that seems to me.

Outbreak I'm very much for a day after I'm sorry what we're -- -- -- absolutely -- time we thank you for being with us.

Are covered man Frank Gaffney thank you both up next the --