Egypt gives Russian dignitaries red carpet welcome

Egypt gives Russian dignitaries red carpet welcome

CAIRO (AP) — In an echo of the Cold War, Egypt gave the red carpet welcome today to senior Russian officials aiming to expand Moscow’s influence through military and economic cooperation with a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. The flirtation underscores how U.S.-Egyptian relations have soured lately over the Obama administration’s criticism of the July 3 military coup. And although Egyptian officials say the one-time Soviet client is not turning away from the United States, the military-backed government is clearly signaling it has options.