US waives human-rights conditions on $320 million Egypt military aid

In a letter to congressional committees, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a waiver of the human-rights and democracy certification for $320 million of the FY 2025 Foreign Military Financing earmarked for Egypt. The accompanying memo argued that the aid is vital for counter-terrorism, border security, non-proliferation and, importantly, for Egypt’s “helpful role” after the U.S. and Israel began Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

Egypt has been a major recipient of U.S. military assistance since the late 1980s, typically receiving about $1.3 billion each year, though portions have been withheld in the past due to rights abuses. Under the previous administration, the Biden government had occasionally blocked parts of the aid, but in 2024 it released the full allocation following the Gaza conflict. The waiver reflects Washington’s assessment that maintaining the strategic partnership with Cairo outweighs the human-rights concerns cited by critics.

The State Department and Egypt’s Foreign Ministry did not provide immediate remarks. Recent domestic developments in Egypt include the arrest of six journalists accused of spreading misinformation, underscoring ongoing tensions over rights issues.