Sunday, February 23, 2025, 10:21AM |  27°
MENU
Advertisement
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi
1
MORE

Trump can send a human rights message to Egypt’s leader

Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

Trump can send a human rights message to Egypt’s leader

Last month, the Post-Gazette website carried a New York Times story acknowledging the Egyptian regime’s abysmal human rights record, while also predicting increased U.S. military cooperation with that country. In light of that article, President Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Egypt’s coup-installed president, Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, poses an important question: Will the U.S. attempt to “combat terrorism” using blind, brute force … or through a principled embrace of core American values?

When the two leaders meet April 3, Mr. Trump can do as expected: Double down on military support for a widely discredited authoritarian regime. But there’s another opportunity: Take a clear, strong stand against the el-Sissi administration’s well-documented human and civil rights abuses by withholding funding for its military.

By taking that unexpectedly principled step, the U.S. will be combating terror in two ways. First, we’ll achieve a major “win” in the war of ideas, by showing moderate Muslims across the world that “yes,” we’ll support core American values — free press, freedom of assembly and the right to fair trial — on behalf of ordinary Egyptian Muslims. 

Advertisement

At the same time, we’ll be saying “no” to the Egyptian government’s own version of “state-supported terror” being applied to its own citizens.

Will Mr. Trump stand up for core American values — enshrined in our Bill of Rights — on the world stage? Will he say “no” to Egypt’s internal version of state-supported terror?

The world will be watching.

RICHARD ST. JOHN
Greenfield

Advertisement

First Published: March 29, 2017, 4:00 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
1
business
Amid funding uncertainty, Pitt pauses doctoral admissions
Pirates outfielder DJ Stewart gets congratulations from teammates after his home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of the Grapefruit League season at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
2
sports
5 takeaways from Pirates' spring training victory over Orioles
A new report advises retirees in 2025 to aim for just 3.7% when withdrawing from savings -- down from 4%. Over a 30-year retirement, that could mean the difference between financial security or outliving your cash in your 80s or 90s, financial experts say.
3
business
How much can retirees safely withdraw from their nest eggs? Financial experts weigh in.
York County District Attorney Timothy J. Barker reacts during a news conference regarding the shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
4
news
Police officer killed, gunman dead in shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York
Preston Coleman, 52, was beaten and strangled inside an Aliquippa VFW on Jan. 5, 2025, in what police described as a vicious, unprovoked attack.
5
news
Bartender working at Aliquippa VFW during beating that left man unconscious facing charges
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi  (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Advertisement
LATEST opinion
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story