IMPORTANT NOTE TO STUDENTS:  Read all "Background" below before answering the questions.  The "story behind the story" is provided to give you an understanding of the U.S. decision to cut off aid to Egypt.

1. Who is Nabil Fahmy?

2. How does Mr. Fahmy view U.S. aid, and the Obama administration's decision to cut military aid to Egypt?

3. Since the U.S. began giving Egypt aid almost 35 years ago, the government has never cut aid to to this country. Why did the Obama administration decide to cut aid to Egypt now?

4. What is the Egyptian government going to do about the loss of aid from the U.S.?

5. How much does the U.S. give to Egypt each year? How does this compare with the other countries receiving aid from us?

6. The Reuters reporter writes in para. 9 of this article: "The United States now faces a policy dilemma - how to promote democracy while not alienating an Arab ally which has a peace treaty with Israel and controls the strategic Suez Canal." Consider the following:

• On June 30, 2012 Mohammed Morsi was sworn into office. In November, Morsi unilaterally decreed greater powers for himself, giving his decisions immunity from judicial review and barring the courts from dissolving the constituent assembly and the upper house of parliament. The move sparks days of protests. 
• By November 30, Morsi's Islamist allies in the constituent assembly rushed to complete the draft of the constitution that would make Sharia (Islamic) law the law of the land. President Morsi sets a Dec. 15 date for a referendum.
• On Dec. 4, 2012, more than 100,000 protesters marched on the presidential palace, demanding the cancellation of the referendum and the writing of a new constitution. The next day, Islamists attacked an anti-Morsi sit-in, sparking street battles that left at least 10 dead.
• On June 30, 2013, MILLIONS of Egyptians demonstrated on Morsi’s first anniversary in office, calling on him to step down. [The two opposing groups are: the president and his Islamist/Muslim Brotherhood allies in one camp and seculars, liberals, moderate Muslims and Christians on the other.] Eight people were killed in clashes outside the Muslim Brotherhood’s Cairo headquarters.

Also, consider what you learn under "Background" below. Should the U.S. make promoting democracy in Egypt our priority?  Explain your answer.