Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called the Egyptian unrest that led to the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi a military coup, and cited it as an example of failed America leadership.
“It was a coup and it was the second time in two-and-a-half years that we have seen the military step in. It’s a strong indicator of the lack of American leadership and influence since we’ve urged the military not to do that,” McCain said Sunday on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” according to Politico. “The place is descending into chaos but so is the entire Middle East because of the total vacuum and lack of American leadership…Whether it be the massacres in Syria; Lebanon is beset by sectarian violence; Jordan is about to collapse under the weight of refugees; Iraq is unraveling; Afghanistan — we’re having grave problems organizing a follow on force in Afghanistan.”
McCain also said he thinks the U.S. should cut off aid to Egypt, which follows American law stating the U.S. cannot give aid to a country that has a military coup where there was a democratic election.
“Reluctantly, I believe that we have to suspend aid until such time as there is a new constitution and a free and fair election. We can’t — Morsi was a terrible president,” McCain said. “Their economy is in terrible shape thanks to their policies but the fact is the United States should not be supporting this coup and it’s a tough call.”
