The High Price of Speaking Out in Egypt Under Sisi, Washington’s Favorite Dictator
On the campaign trail, Joe Biden criticized Donald Trump’s support for the Egyptian ruler Sisi, his “favorite dictator.” But Biden has now approved fresh arms sales to Egypt, turning a blind eye to ongoing repression. This bipartisan betrayal of democracy has to end.
Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the presidential palace in Cairo during a ceremony to sign military contracts, 2015. (Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump famously referred to Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as “my favorite dictator” during a press conference at the 2019 G7 Summit. Trump went on to shower effusive praise on his Egyptian counterpart:
We understood each other very well. He’s a very tough man, I will tell you that . . . and he’s done a fantastic job in Egypt.
Indeed, Sisi has worked very hard to live up to the reputation of being “a very tough man” who his leading American fan delighted in rewarding.
This article is for subscribers only. Please login or subscribe to access our full archives and beautiful print and digital magazine starting at just $3 a month.