US Secretary of Defense Arrives in Egypt

The United States’ Secretary of Defense, Jim Mattis, arrived in Cairo, Egypt yesterday, as part of his regional tour.

Mattis met with Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as well as with Egyptian Defense Minister, Sedki Sobh.

Mattis’ trip to Egypt comes as the relationship between the US under newly elected president Donald Trump and Egypt warms up significantly. Before Trump took office, relations between the US and Egypt were strained, to say the least, as the Obama administration condemned the way the Egyptian government were dealing with human right’s issues.

However, things seems to have done a complete 360, as both president Trump and president al-Sisi have only had good things to say about each other.

Trump has also pledged to maintain military support for Egypt as the two countries try to battle Islamic terrorists in the region.

Mattis is said to have discussed the US military’s counterinsurgency in the the country, specifically the Sinai Peninsula, to fight the Islamic State (ISIS).

Mattis will also visit Israel on his international trip.