Absent of any near-term threats to natural security from a land invasion, the Egyptian military continues to strengthen its conventional land forces to deter long-term threats and bolster its reputation as a powerful, or perhaps the most powerful, fighting force in the Middle East and Africa. But Egypt does have a significant national security threat on the seas.
The U.S. Navy continues to patrol the Horn of Africa, where more than 30 major incidents have taken place this year alone (according to the above article). These incidents, combined with the kidnapping some weeks ago of adventure tourists near Egypt's border with Sudan, bolster Egypt's argument in Washington that it needs continued military support for border security. By publicly and substantially targeting its military aid to enhance its border security capabilities, Egypt can make a real difference on its borders and in Congress. Border security, from bandits on the southern border, to smugglers in Gaza, to pirates on the seas is Egypt's most significant national security threat right now.
