Unveiling the Untold Dilemma: Revolutionary Military Aid for Egypt Under New Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman
Senate Foreign Relations Committee's new chairman, Ben Cardin, stirs controversy by announcing the anticipated blockage of military aid for Egypt, sparking widespread debate and speculation on the implications of this decision
The Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee announced on Saturday that he will be blocking a controversial batch of military assistance for Egypt. Senator Ben Cardin made this last-minute decision on the September 30 deadline, following criticism of the State Department's use of a national security waiver to bypass human rights-related restrictions on $235 million in aid.
The block follows the indictment of the previous chairman of the committee, Sen. Bob Menendez, on corruption charges. He is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for assisting Egypt in obtaining military aid. The New Jersey Democrat has pleaded not guilty.
Democratic New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez arrives at Manhattan Federal Court in New York City on September 27, 2023. Menendez and his wife Nadine, alongside three businessmen, face charges for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to accept bribes totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, which included cash, gold bars, a Mercedes convertible, and mortgage payments.
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Sen. Bob Menendez and co-defendants plead not guilty to bribery-related charges
"Congress has explicitly stated that for our bilateral relationship to continue, the government of Egypt must make significant improvements in various crucial areas such as human rights, good governance, and the rule of law," stated Senator Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland. He further emphasized his stance, saying, "Therefore, I will prevent the progress of foreign military financing currently being reviewed." In his role as chairman, Cardin made it clear that he will also impede any future foreign military funds and arms sales to Egypt unless it takes concrete and enduring measures to enhance the human rights situation within its borders."
The Biden administration decided to withhold $85 million in aid to Egypt in September and instead allocated it to Taiwan and Lebanon. Detractors, among them Cardin, argued that Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an inappropriate move by releasing the remaining $235 million out of the $320 million tranche of military aid.
Cardin's decision on Saturday received praise from human rights activists, who considered it as "positive and urgent news," as stated by various prominent organizations.
The withholding of $320 million in aid, which accounts for a significant portion of the annual total of $1.3 billion, would have a severe impact on Egypt and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's regime. President el-Sisi is anticipated to seek reelection by the end of this year. When CNN asked for a comment, the State Department did not reply, and the White House directed inquiries to them.
