Overview

• The Biden administration has waived human rights conditions to provide Egypt with its full $1.3 billion military aid allocation for the first time since 2020.
• Secretary of State Antony Blinken cited U.S. national security interests and Egypt's mediation efforts in Gaza as reasons for the waiver.
• While $320 million of the aid is usually subject to human rights conditions, this year $225 million was waived, and $95 million was released due to perceived progress.
• Rights groups argue that Egypt's human rights situation remains dire, with thousands of political prisoners still detained despite some releases.
• The U.S. continues to engage in dialogue with Egypt on human rights, emphasizing the need for concrete improvements to sustain their partnership.