Biden Administration Approves $2.5 Billion Arms Sale to Egypt Despite Rights Abuses

The Biden Administration approved a $2.5 billion US arms sale to Egypt. The approval came despite the concern of US lawmakers over ongoing alleged human rights abuses in Egypt. The proposed sale was approved even as a smaller sum of $130 million in foreign military aid has been frozen since September over Egypt’s alleged rights abuses. Another $300 million in foreign military financing went through this year, however. The sale approved on Tuesday includes 12 Super Hercules C-130 transport aircraft and related equipment worth $2.2 billion, and air defense radar systems worth an estimated $355 million. The proposed sale does not appear to have been finalized nor a contract signed. The US considers Egypt to be a key ally in the region and has therefore looked the other way on human rights abuses under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.