This paper explores the relationship between the Egyptian military and U.S. security assistance forces, and examines long term U.S. interests in Egypt. The author proposes a novel course of action, "active inaction," as a method of addressing the U.S.-Egyptian security relationship. Active inaction would not be a dramatic departure from the current security assistance mission, but would require interagency cooperation to gather the experienced "Egypt hands" necessary to facilitate better relationships between U.S. and Egyptian military officers. These Egypt hands would be civilians with in-depth cultural and political knowledge of Egypt who would commit to being posted in Egypt for long periods of time. The Egypt hands would allow for increased engagement with the Egyptian military, and could lay the ground work for a "whole of nation" approach to security assistance in Egypt. Active inaction would also address economic development, military reform, and U.S. military aid to Egypt.

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