The US State Department’s approval of USD 1.3 bn in military aid yesterday is in the international headlines, as news outlets noted the administration’s decision to provide Egypt the full package over the objections of some on Capitol Hill. (Wall Street Journal | Bloomberg | Reuters | CNN)

The decision comes amid calls from some members of the US Congress to withhold the USD 320 mn of Egypt’s military aid that is conditional upon the country adhering to certain human rights conditions. The USD 225 mn of funding linked to broad democratization and human rights protection has been waived by the State Department, while an additional USD 95 mn conditional on Egypt having made sufficient progress on releasing political prisoners has also been greenlit.

The State Department justified its decision to provide Egypt with its full package as “important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to U.S. national security priorities, particularly to finalize a cease-fire agreement for Gaza,” according to a State Department spokesperson.

Remember: Last year saw USD 235 mn in human rights-linked aid blocked by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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