Rarely does a vice presidential trip carry high stakes for the future of US foreign policy. But all eyes will be on Mike Pence this week as he heads to Israel and Egypt.
The controversy over US President Donald Trump’s Jerusalem policy has significantly complicated the trip and threatens to undermine Washington’s heretofore rapidly warming relationship with its Sunni Arab allies.
It is critical that Pence not be perceived as taking a “victory lap” for the administration’s decision to recognize west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Rather, he needs to carefully listen to Arab concerns, and cast a compelling vision of how achieving true peace – with America’s help – can dramatically improve the lives of Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian and Israeli moms, dads and children, while respecting the passions all Muslims, Christians and Jews have for the Holy City.
It is also vital that Pence tangibly strengthen our strategic alliance with Egypt. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi is exactly the kind of friend America needs in the region and we need to help him, not undermine him.
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