Nixing F-16s To Egypt

With Egypt in political turmoil, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) is calling on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to halt the planned delivery of 20 F-16 fighter jets to that country beginning early next year.

In a statement released today, Inhofe said:

The Obama Administration should not be putting top-of-the-line aircraft in the hands of a government that is perpetuating instability in its region and showing aggression towards our ally, Israel. While this agreement for the F-16s was forged two years ago, Egypt's leadership has since changed hands, leaving open the question as to how this equipment might be used.

The first four jets are scheduled for delivery on Jan. 22, according to a Dec. 17 letter Inhofe sent to Clinton. He adds:

In light of the ongoing instability, aggression towards Israel, [Egyptian] President [Mohammed] Morsi's dictatorial decree, and absence of a constitution and parliament, this delivery should be stopped and subject to further review.

Until Egypt is able to establish [a] democratic parliament and ensure stability in the country, the delivery of F-16s to Egypt should be postponed for further review. I look forward to your response.