The turmoil in Egypt kept America’s security and military leaders on edge Saturday, fearful of a worst-case scenario in which a massive arsenal supplied by the U.S. falls into the hands of Islamic extremists.

Egypt’s massive military, with more than 1000 M1 Abrams battle tanks, 220 F-16 fighter jets and 150 attack helicopters including Apaches, has grown through the years after the historic peace settlement with Israel in the 1970s. U.S. foreign policy has seen investment in Egypt’s military as a key to stability in the region. But with control of the country uncertain, that military becomes a wildcard.

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