Predictably, up until the Trump-Sissi Oval Office meeting, there had been absolutely no mention of Sissi’s moves to consolidate power through constitutional amendments and Egypt’s democratic struggles. Almost exactly 10 years ago, Hosni Mubarak’s visit to the White House revolved around the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Egypt’s regional role. It’s a message directed toward an outspoken Congress that has criticized the proposed constitutional amendments and Egypt’s deteriorating human rights record. When asked about the possibility of having Sissi in power until 2034 — a reference to constitutional amendments that would, among other things, facilitate this — Trump responded: “I think he’s doing a great job. The White House misses the real threat to regional stability when it boasts of “robust” economic and counterterrorism cooperation with Sissi’s regime.

Source: Washington Post April 10, 2019 18:00 UTC