The primary goal of U.S. policy in Egypt should be to “stop the spread of radical Islam,” said a top Republican in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. It is an objective that has received little attention by officials of the Obama administration in recent weeks. Majority Leader Eric Cantor, also said he hopes the street protests taking place in Cairo and elsewhere will lead to a democratic society that “stands for human rights, progress and equal opportunity.” He did not criticize President Barack Obama's handling of the situation which is now entering its third week. “The future of Egypt will be determined by its people. It's also clear that there needs to be a transition process that begins now. That transition must initiate a process that respects the universal rights of the Egyptian people and that leads to free and fair elections,” Obama said late last week. Cantor is Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel, which has been watching the unfolding events in Egypt with apprehension. Asked whether Cantor's remarks stemmed at least in part from his position on Israel, the representative's spokesman, Brad Dayspring, said Cantor “has consistently made clear that the expansion of radical Islam is a global danger and is bad for America and our allies.” BM
