USAID's Cairo Blacksite

 Peter Grant posted an interested thread at his Bayou Renaissance Man blog from a guy that went to see USAID's military like compound in Cairo. In his thread, journalist Larry Taunton decided to visit USAID's facility in Cairo, Egypt. At first, he was allowed inside the compound and finally found the correct entrance (there was no signage), went in, and asked if they were complying with the President's order to shut down. He says it was a dangerous question (without more explanation) and promptly left. The next day, however, he drove passed the compound and his car was stopped by guards who demanded his phone and passport. When Taunton refused they tried to convince his driver to bring the vehicle inside the compound. When that didn't work, they called Egyptian Police who then, in turn, called in the Egyptian National Security Agency who again try to bully him into turning over his passport and telephone. Fortunately, Taunton was able to upload his photographs off his phone and delete them from his phone, before finally having to turn it over to authorities. 

    I understand that terrorism and anti-American sentiment is a danger in Egypt, so perhaps this is just the norm for anyone that takes too much interest in a U.S. government building. Perhaps Taunton is making a mountain out of a molehill. Nevertheless, you have to wonder if the reaction was driven because of Taunton's questioning whether the facility should even still be open and operating.