Egypt started to get significant US support after signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, and has received about $1.3 billion a year in US military aid since the late 1980s.

A portion of that aid is subject to human rights and democracy-related conditions which can be waived on national-security grounds. The withholding of funds, including under former US President Joe ​Biden, has caused friction between Cairo and Washington in the past.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio "has made a determination to waive the certification requirement with ​respect to $320 million in FY 2025 Foreign Military Financing for Egypt," said a letter addressed to various congressional committees dated ⁠September 21, seen by Reuters.

This is bipartisan. I remember when Obama continued to send military aid to Egypt DURING their military coup, which is also illegal under US law. No one gave a shit.

Yokels all over rural America were up in arms over the idea that their jobs producing small but integral parts of a weapons system that would eventually go to a strongman using force to stay in power might dry up. No politician will ever dare threaten to damage the military-industrial complex for economic reasons alone.

do they want to lose the middle east?