Egypt’s Military Shift: America’s Grip at Stake

The Middle East is no stranger to global power plays, but what’s happening right now in Egypt should raise every American eyebrow. A country we’ve counted as a “Major Non-NATO Ally” since 1989 is suddenly flirting with China—and not just diplomatically. We’re talking full-scale defense cooperation, joint military drills, and possible purchases of Chinese stealth jets. That’s a seismic shift with serious implications for U.S. influence, military strategy, and global stability.

Let’s be clear: Egypt is not just any buyer in the international arms market. It’s the most populous Arab country, a cornerstone of regional security, and a longtime recipient of $1.3 billion annually in U.S. military aid. For decades, that cash wasn’t just charity—it was a down payment on influence. But now, that influence is being tested by Beijing’s aggressive military diplomacy. China is knocking on Cairo’s door with open arms, stealth fighters, and a not-so-subtle message: ditch the Americans, we’ve got what you need.

This isn’t just about Egypt. It’s about the broader Middle East waking up to the idea that they don’t have to rely on the U.S. as their only defense partner. That mindset shift is dangerous. It signals the erosion of an American-led order that has kept the region from falling into total chaos for decades.

Now, credit where it’s due: the U.S. has finally realized that sitting on its hands while China floods the region with weapons is a losing strategy. In July, the State Department approved a $4.67 billion arms deal with Egypt, including NASAMS air defense systems, 200 AMRAAM missiles, and 600 Sidewinders. That’s a serious upgrade for Cairo—and one that, until recently, was considered too advanced to share, in order to preserve Israel’s military edge.

But this isn’t generosity. This is triage. Washington is trying to stop the bleeding after years of missteps, indecision, and frankly, arrogance. Remember, it was under past administrations—especially Biden’s—that U.S. arms sales to allies were bogged down by political games and ideological purity tests. Egypt wanted upgrades to its F-16s? Too bad. Human rights concerns trumped strategic interests. President el-Sisi was vocal about his frustration. Now he’s shopping elsewhere, and who can blame him?

The Chinese, meanwhile, aren’t wasting time. Egypt has expressed clear interest in Chinese J-10 and J-35 fighter jets. These aren’t toys. The J-35 is Beijing’s answer to America’s F-35—a stealth-capable, fifth-generation warplane. If Egypt brings those into its arsenal, it’ll be a slap in the face to decades of U.S. defense cooperation.

And it’s not just Egypt. Iran is reportedly eyeing those same Chinese jets. Think about that for a second: two of the most strategically significant nations in the region—one a U.S. ally, one a sworn adversary—both potentially flying the same Chinese hardware. That’s a nightmare scenario for American air planners and a dream come true for Beijing.

Retired Egyptian officers are already signaling the shift. As Sayed Ghoneim bluntly told Newsweek, “American companies insist on not losing a buyer—especially when China stands arms wide open.” Translation: China is playing the long game, and Washington is just now realizing it.

The Trump administration, to its credit, is adjusting course. The NASAMS deal is a step in the right direction. It shows that President Trump understands what Biden and Obama never did: that diplomacy without strength is just begging to be ignored. The United States cannot afford to lose Egypt—not to China, not to anyone.

It’s time for America to stop taking its allies for granted. That means treating military aid not as a political bargaining chip, but as a strategic investment. It means delivering the weapons our allies need—before Beijing beats us to the punch.

We’re not in a post-American world yet. But if we don’t act decisively, we might be soon. The time to push back on China’s Middle East ambitions is now. Not with speeches, but with strength. Not with warnings, but with weapons. The stakes are too high for anything less.