I don’t believe I understand the Egyptian situation as much as you misinterpret my position. I’m saying if the Egyptian protesters haven’t a better, coherent alternative to the status quo, they’ve a worse solution—in which case the _4 best butt out and at most threaten a withholding of our billions. Better to support protesters who offer a better, not a worse, alternative and who are rebelling against the enemies of the US and Israel, not against those who have cooperated with us. To push, as Obama’s team has, the MB and vouch for their peacefulness is the last thing we shgould have done. I also wouldn’t provide free war services in support of the MB and Al Kaeda in Libya. My view is that we should stay out of all such severely misguided countries’ business as much as possible. I’d come to the aid of those who would improve their countries’ governance. Develop our own energy resources and reward good behavior, not bad.
The internet savvy, well educated young protesters that led the demonstrations on Tahrir square are a minority. Seasoned diplomats understand that there is a big risk in casting your lot with only about 10% of the population.
Diplomacy is the art of the possible. Israel sits next to Egypt and Syria. Right now we cannot predict what will come out of Syria in the near term. So you really have to play your cards well with Egypt because Syria is a big unknown.
Withdrawing your aid billions will be a serious mistake. Something will give, and your capacity to influence Egyptian politics will be degraded. The Chinese will gladly take the slack and add the Suez canal to their acquisition of the Panama canal.Israel will also be affected.
All said, the genuine secular pro-democracy protesters should be supported.
In the unlikely event that Egypt sets up an Islamist State, be rest assured that it will fail. There is no evidence that the modern Islamic State is economically viable. (Saudi Arabia is awash with oil, this is why they can afford to hold on to Medieval practices - Egypt is not that blessed with natural resources).
You cannot also depend solely on your Oil & Gas reserves - that is not how the market is structured. Oil is a fungible commodity, so whatever happens in that region will always affect the price of crude globally - unless you revert to a command economy.
There are responsibilities, risks and rewards of being the sole superpower. I am sorry, you have to get on with it.