China and Egypt wrap first joint military exercise as Beijing looks to cozy up to American allies

In a first-of-its-kind military exercise, Egypt and China team up in a move that risks straining Cairo’s decades-old security alliance with Washington, D.C.

China deployed its J-10C fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft and Y-20 transport tankers in a display of its military prowess beyond Asia, according to footage posted by Chinese state media outlet CCTV.

Egypt has, in recent years, also purchased large amounts of military machinery from Russia, prompting questions about how the U.S. should address a top Middle East ally and aid recipient growing closer to its biggest adversaries.