U.S. Cuts Military Aid To Egypt And Will Send This Aid To Taiwan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at Al Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, Egypt, in January 2023 [File: Khaled Desouki/Pool via AP Photo]  

Washington Post: U.S. cuts military aid to Egypt, sends money instead to Taiwan 

The Biden administration this week told Congress that it intends to withhold $85 million designated for U.S. security assistance to Egypt this year, and instead provide the bulk of the money to Taiwan. 

The decision brought immediate criticism from lawmakers that the reprogrammed amount either wasn’t enough to punish Egypt for ongoing detentions of political prisoners and other human rights abuses, or that it was a paltry offering to Taiwan given the urgency of China’s aggressive behavior. 

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WNU Editor: The amount of money involved is $85 million, and no one is happy with this move. US lawmakers believe this is not enough to punish Egypt for its human rights abuses, and others believe this money is a paltry sum to help Taiwan. And as for Egypt, the aid is still continuing .... US to send more military aid to Egypt despite rights concerns (Al-Monitor). 

U.S. Cuts Military Aid To Egypt And Will Send This Aid To Taiwan  

US will redirect millions of funds for Egypt to Taiwan and Lebanon -- CNN  

US to withhold $85m military aid to Egypt over political prisoners, rights -- Al Jazeera  

U.S. to redirect millions in military aid for Egypt to Taiwan -- Axios

Egypts Ignores US Demands To Cut Off Airspace To Russian Military Flights

Daily Caller: US Ally Ignores Pleas To Cut Off Airspace To Russian Military Flights: REPORT 

American ally Egypt repeatedly ignored requests from Biden administration officials to shut off its airspace to Russian military flights, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. and Egyptian officials. 

U.S. officials asked Egypt in February and March to close its airspace to the Russian military, thereby blocking access to Syria, but Egypt has not responded to those requests, the WSJ reported, citing government officials. 

Egypt continues to allow the Russian defense ministry to send aircraft through its territory to reach Syria, complicating U.S. moves to block Moscow from allegedly funneling weapons and equipment stationed in Syria to its forces in Ukraine.  

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Update: U.S. Ally Rebuffs Requests to Block Russian Military Flights (Political Wire)  

WNU Editor: Russian aircraft must now fly 2,000 extra miles and up to five hours further after the U.S. and Ukraine persuaded countries including Turkey, Jordan and Iraq to cut access for at least some Russian military planes last year after the invasion of Ukraine (see above map).

US Cancels $130 Million Military Aid For Egypt After Major $2.5 Billion Arms Sale

The US sold Egypt 12 Super Hercules C-130 transport aircraft on Tuesday 

DW: US cancels military aid for Egypt after major arms sale 

The US State Department has said Egypt has not met the conditions to receive the $130 million in military aid. Earlier this week, the US and Egypt concluded an arms sale to the tune of $2.5 billion. 

The United States is canceling $130 million (€117 million) in military aid to Egypt over human rights concerns, the State Department said on Friday. 

The announcement comes just days after US President Joe Biden's administration approved a $2.5 billion arms sale to Egypt on Tuesday. 

This included 12 Super Hercules C-130 transport aircraft and air defense radar systems.  

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WNU Editor: The U.S. approves a $2.5 billion arms sale to Egypt, and then a few days later cancels a $130 million military aid package. Talk about sending mix-signals. 

US Cancels $130 Million Military Aid For Egypt After Major $2.5 Billion Arms Sale  

US cancels military aid for Egypt after major arms sale -- Jerusalem Post/Reuters  

Biden admin blocks military aid to Egypt over human rights concerns -- Politico  

US to block millions for Egypt over human rights -- CNN  

US cancels $130m military aid for Egypt over rights concerns -- Al Jazeera  

‘Major non-NATO ally’ loses US military aid -- RT