Putin in Egypt: Gives General/President al-Sisi 'Glorious' Kalashnikov AK-47

[pampango]

Russia's Vladimir Putin presenting Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi with a Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle in Egypt.

Russia's Vladimir Putin presented Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi with an authentic Russian-made Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle while visiting the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Tuesday.

"President Putin presented President Sisi with a glorious gift — a Kalashnikov. Undoubtedly very symbolic," Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt wrote on his Twitter page, and included a photo of the exchange.

Putin arrived in Cairo on Monday to great fanfare, with one local newspaper running the headline "Putin is the hero of our times," according to Foreign Policy magazine's David Kenner. Putin began cultivating ties with al-Sisi last year, when he endorsed the former military leader's candidacy for president following the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

Russia has been negotiating to sell billions of dollars' worth of arms to Egypt.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/putin-gives-egypt-s-fattah-al-sisi-glorious-kalashnikov-ak-47/515685.html

I guess if you are there to sell arms, a rifle is an appropriate gift to give to the Egyptian autocrat. I wonder if Obama has given any foreign presidents an M-16 when he visits.

[stevenleser]

1. More proof that Putin is Russia's version of a Tea Partier. nt

[DetlefK]

2. Seriously. What other gift could Putin have given to al-Sisi?

A piece of art? Neither of these man is known as a big fan of art.

An expensive foodstuff?
Wine or other alcoholic beverage? Russia's most famous alcohol is Vodka and it would be bad taste to give that to a Muslim.
Caviar? THAT actually might have worked, though you can buy caviar anywhere with enough money. It's not rare, just expensive.

What do Putin and al-Sisi have in common?

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. How about a Putin action figure?

[bemildred]

3. Now that is precious.

i'll bet al Sisi was lapping that up too, and Putin is looking for marketing opportunities: "Russia has been negotiating to sell billions of dollars' worth of arms to Egypt".

Which is an interesting situation, since al Sisi and Putin disagree about much too, like Syria and the Saudis.

[kelliekat44]

4. They both are taking smacks at Obama. nt

[bemildred]

6. Well everybody is getting emotionally involved, let's just admit that. nt