Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 1, Number 1, Fall 2015 | Page 21

Global Security and Intelligence Studies - Volume 1, Number 1 - Fall 2015
Business As Usual: The Egyptian–U.S. Intelligence
Relationship
Michele Black A & Osamah Alhenaki B
The aim of this article is to address the question of the future of Egyptian–US
intelligence relations through an examination of history and an analysis of the
present time. We empirically show that Egypt, while under the leadership of
al-Sisi, will return to a ‘Mubarak-era intelligence-sharing relationship’ with
the United States. We argue that the events leading up to today, with a short
break under the leadership of Morsi, have proven that Egypt and the United
States share similar interest in regards to intelligence. Finally, this article
discusses the challenges and opportunities regarding the future relationship
between Egypt and the US intelligence agencies in context with the newly
elected Egyptian President, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Despite the changes and
challenges, it is our conclusion that Egypt and the United States will return
back to their intelligence-sharing relationship, in a “business as usual” manner.
Keywords: Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, Extraordinary Rendition, Intelligence Sharing,
Foreign Intelligence Agencies, Egyptian Intelligence
Before 2011, it would have been unimaginable to think that Egypt would “oust”
its President, Muhammad Hosni Mubarak, and “democratically” elect two new
leaders. These recent events, commonly associated with the Arab Spring, have
not only affected Egypt’s domestic stability, but have also altered its international
relationships, specifically with the United States. On the basis of these events and
newly elected leaders, there were initial concerns that the relationship between Egypt
and the United States, particularly in the area of intelligence, would be negatively
affected.
Egypt has been a key political partner with the United States since 1922, and
defense cooperation between the two countries has included intelligence sharing
since 1942 (“US Relations with Egypt” 2014; Sirrs 2010). This relationship has been
particularly due to Egypt being known for its legacy in intelligence and serving as
mentor to most developing Arab intelligence establishments (Sirrs 2010, 1; Murphy
1991).
Intelligence is the key to every country’s national security and its policymakers.
In its broadest meaning, it refers to any kind of information that meets the stated or
understood needs of policymakers and has been collected, processed, and narrowed
A
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Political Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
B
M.A., Department of Political Science, University of Nebraska–Omaha
14