The following appeared in a Los Angeles Times editorial:
It's increasingly evident Egypt's military rulers are determined to intimidate and silence their political opponents, whether they are members of the Muslim Brotherhood or secular Egyptians. Yet, the Obama administration continues to entertain the pious hope that Egypt is on the road to democracy.
The military-backed government has declared the Brotherhood a terrorist organization and has seized the financial assets of Brotherhood activists and other Islamist figures.
The U.S. response to the crackdown has been polite to the point of pusillanimity. A State Department spokeswoman said the administration was concerned by the terrorist group designation and that recent actions by the Egyptian government "raise questions about the rule of law being applied impartially and equitably, and do not move Egypt's transition forward."
That's still an improvement over past comments by Secretary of State John F. Kerry, who last summer suggested the Egyptian military was restoring democracy when it deposed Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood member who had been chosen president in a fair election. In November, after the U.S. suspended some aid to Egypt and delayed delivery of some weapons systems, he said the action was "not a punishment."
The situation illustrates the tension between the U.S.' commitment to democracy and its more complicated strategic objectives. U.S. military aid is designed not to reward Egypt for adherence to democracy but to shore up the Arab-Israeli peace treaty and suppress terrorism.
The U.S. could be more consistent and forthright in insisting the generals make good on their stated desire for democracy. The current policy of trying not to offend them isn't working.