US-Egypt alliance to remain, despite dim democracy

US-Egypt alliance to remain, despite dim democracy
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Summary US is reluctantly preparing to accept an Egyptian government that could be a democracy in name only.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House is reluctantly preparing to accept an Egyptian government that could be a democracy in name only, two years after the U.S. supported the overthrow of its dictator in the name of democracy.

 

The U.S. is still holding out hope that Egypt s military-backed interim leaders will cede power after elections to create an inclusive government under a publicly drafted constitution.

 

The military s bloody crackdowns against political opponents this month have dampened those hopes. But the Obama administration knows it cannot afford to distance itself from even an authoritarian Egypt, a key U.S. ally, even though it could be months or years, for its government to settle from turmoil.