Biden Administration Grants Egypt $1.3B in Military Aid
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress on Wednesday that Washington will provide Egypt with $1.3B in military aid this year, the first full allocation during the Biden administration....
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Facts
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress on Wednesday that Washington will provide Egypt with $1.3B in military aid this year, the first full allocation during the Biden administration.[1]
- Since 2020, the US has withheld $320M from Egypt's security assistance, citing its human rights record, including its treatment of political prisoners.[2][3]
- However, the State Department notified Congress of releasing the amount, including the $95M contingent upon Egypt making 'clear and consistent progress' in releasing political prisoners, citing 'the U.S. national security interest.'[4][5][1]
- The Biden administration has said the waiver would help advance regional peace and US national security priorities, finalize a cease-fire and end the conflict in Gaza, and bring the Israeli hostages home.[3]
- Egypt has been among the most significant recipients of American military aid since the 1978 Camp David Accords that brokered peace between Israel and Egypt.[6]
- Meanwhile, human rights groups have contrasted Egypt's political arrests (2,278) against the number of releases (970) over the past year under Pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.[6]
Sources: [1]Reuters, [2]Washington Post, [3]Al Jazeera, [4]Wsj, [5]Senate and [6]AL.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Responsible Statecraft. US military aid to Egypt remains crucial as Washington secures valuable intelligence cooperation, counterterrorism support, and access to the Suez Canal. Withdrawing aid risks ceding influence to Russia and China in this geopolitically significant region. Though the aid's effectiveness in shaping Egyptian policies is debatable, it represents a long-term investment in regional stability and US interests.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Senate. US military aid to Egypt perpetuates a cycle of human rights abuses. Instead of promoting stability, such assistance bolsters an oppressive regime that shows no genuine commitment to reform. The US is tacitly endorsing Egypt's disregard for civil liberties and democratic values. This undermines America's moral standing and credibility on the global stage.
