Egypt military aid/ U.S.-Egypt relations/ Antony Blinken aid waiver/ Newslooks/ Washington/ The Biden administration is providing Egypt with its full $1.3 billion military aid allocation. The State Department cited Egypt’s crucial role in mediating the Israel-Hamas war and supporting U.S. national security. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waived $225 million in aid conditions, emphasizing its importance for regional stability.
U.S. Sends Full Military Aid to Egypt Quick Looks:
- The U.S. will send Egypt its full $1.3 billion in military aid.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken waived conditions on $225 million, citing Egypt’s key role in the Gaza conflict.
- Egypt’s progress in releasing political prisoners helped secure $95 million in additional aid.
U.S. Sends Full Military Aid to Egypt, Citing Gaza Mediation Role
Deep Look:
The Biden administration has decided to send the full $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt, setting aside some of the conditions Congress placed on part of the funds. The State Department announced Thursday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken used his authority to waive conditions on $225 million of the aid, citing Egypt’s critical role as a mediator in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The U.S. government emphasized that Egypt’s cooperation is essential to maintaining stability in the Middle East, including efforts to broker a cease-fire in Gaza, secure a hostage release, and increase humanitarian assistance for Palestinians. Blinken’s waiver allows for the full military aid package to be sent, despite Egypt’s controversial human rights record under President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s government.
In justifying the decision, Blinken also told Congress that Egypt had made measurable progress, such as releasing political prisoners and reducing harassment against Americans in Egypt. These steps allowed Egypt to meet the requirements for receiving $95 million in additional U.S. assistance.
“The United States is continuing a rigorous dialogue with the Egyptian government on the importance of concrete human rights improvements,” the State Department said in a statement. However, while progress has been acknowledged, it also noted that Egypt must continue to make more strides in this area.
Egypt has been a key player in mediating between Israel and Hamas, with its efforts seen as vital for preventing the conflict from escalating further in the region. As a result, Washington prioritized Egypt’s strategic role in the Middle East, balancing security concerns with ongoing calls for human rights reforms.
