If there is something the Obama administration could use in its fight against ISIS, it’s more arab nations joining the coalition. One such nation is Egypt. The problem is that the White House – and at least two prominent Senators – have been working against Egyptian President Gen. Abdel Fatah el-Sisi ever since the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood government in that country.

El-Sisi understands the threat of Islamic fundamentalism. He’s been fighting it ever since the removal of Mohammed Mursi as President last year.

In an interview with Charlie Rose, el-Sisi said he was willing to help the U.S. fight ISIS but suggested his support would be conditional on Egypt receiving the Apache helicopters and fighter jets from the U.S. that were held back as a result of Mursi’s removal.

If there is anyone who does understand the ideological dynamic of Islamic fundamentalism that’s so difficult for western leaders to grasp, it’s el-Sisi. Just last week, Secretary of State John Kerry was in Egypt and got quite the lesson from his Egyptian counterpart.

If there is one country that isn’t eager to see Egypt get Apaches and fighter jets, it’s U.S. Nato ‘ally’ Turkey. That country’s president (and former Prime Minister) Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been spitting nails ever since Mursi’s removal. Turkey has also become a safe haven for several Muslim Brotherhood leaders who fled Egypt.

Moreover, Turkey continues to exhibit curious behavior relative to ISIS. When 49 Turks were kidnapped in Mosul a few months ago, Turkey cited those kidnappings as reasons it would not join the U.S. in air strikes against ISIS in Iraq. Now, after the hostages were released, Turkey was not part of the recent air strikes in Syria.

It no doubt sees Egyptian involvement in the fight against ISIS as mucking up the works.

h/t Hot Air