Biden admin approves $197M Egypt arms sale plan amid human rights concerns

The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it has approved plans for a $197 million missile sale to Egypt.Why it matters: The decision comes despite concerns about Egypt's human rights record. It coincides with news of the arrest in Egypt of family members of Mohamed Soltan, a vocal U.S.-based Egyptian American human rights activist.Details: The State Department said in a statement it notified Congress about the plans, which it said would "support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally country that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East.""The proposed sale will support the Egyptian Navy’s Fast Missile Craft ships and provide significantly enhanced area defense capabilities over Egypt’s coastal areas and approaches to the Suez Canal," the statement added."Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces since Egypt already operates previously procured RAM Block 1A missiles."What they're saying: State Department spokesperson Ned Price said at a briefing Tuesday the Biden administration had and was continuing to "engage the Egyptian government on human rights concerns and we take seriously all allegations of arbitrary arrest or detention."We will bring our values with us into every relationship that we have across the globe," he added. "That includes with our close security partners. That includes with Egypt."For the record: Soltan spent some two years as a political prisoner in Egypt after being arrested protesting the 2013 coup by then-military leader Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is now president.He has filed a lawsuit alleging that he was tortured while in custody in the country.Soltan's nonprofit, the Freedom Initiative, said in a statement the targeting of his family members marks the latest attempt by the government of Sisi "to silence its critics living abroad."

Comments

Political news

Main party leaders under pressure as Reform sweeps to victory in local elections

Comments

Similar News

Biden takes Trump's lead in space

Biden reopens federal health insurance marketplace for 3 months

Biden extends mortgage relief, moratorium on foreclosures

Mitch McConnell's impeachment two-step portends challenge for Biden and Schumer

Axios Today podcast: Biden's first post-Trump moment

Biden to discuss pandemic, economic recovery and China at virtual G7 summit

Biden's presidency could bring action on unregulated toxic "forever chemicals"

Biden on schools: "The goal will be 5 days a week"

Biden finally calls Netanyahu

White House marks Snapchat return with pandemic message from Biden and Fauci

Warren, Schumer double down on push to cancel student debt after Biden rejects plan

No plans for Biden to address a joint session of Congress this month, White House says

House Republicans push Biden to adopt Trump rule on China's state-funded Confucius Institutes

Biden says he's "tired of talking about Donald Trump"

Democrats to unveil sweeping Biden-backed immigration bill

Biden administration to use "more inclusive" immigration terms

Racial justice and poverty advocates want Biden to go further to fight racism and inequality

Biden administration sending generators to Texas amid power outages

Biden's Iran envoy Rob Malley quietly reaches out to China

Biden administration unveils guidance to curb ICE enforcement

Political news

Main party leaders under pressure as Reform sweeps to victory in local elections

Jobs numbers show federal employees teleworking at lowest level since pandemic

Supreme Court asked to lift block on DOGE access to Social Security data

New report warns NATO's data vulnerabilities could cost lives without US fix

Hysterical town hall attendee interrupts AOC, yells about 'genocide' in Gaza: 'You're a liar!'

Irish deputy premier does not believe arms being flown through Ireland to Israel

School leaders’ union launches legal action against Ofsted over report card plan

Main party leaders under pressure as Reform sweeps to victory in local elections

A special byelection: What's involved in an MP stepping aside for a federal leader

A tent is not an accommodation under N.S. regulations, judge rules

Radio Free Asia announces mass layoffs amid funding fight with Trump administration

Trump's military parade could include 6,000 soldiers, 150 vehicles, dozens of helicopters

Trump budget proposes to eliminate embattled Job Corps program

Canadian PM Carney has 'constructive' calls with Trump ahead of White House visit Tuesday

Top 5 most outrageous ways the government has wasted your taxes, as uncovered by Elon Musk's DOGE

GOP fires back at DNC's 'political stunt' targeting 'vulnerable' Republicans over Medicaid fight

Chinese official reportedly seeking talks with Trump on fentanyl ingredients amid trade war

Connecticut Senate Democrats list outrageous things they'd rather endure instead of 100 more days of Trump

Farage vows to ‘resist’ asylum hotels as Reform celebrates major gains

Local and mayoral elections 2025: Key results and trends

Tories lose 15 councils amid Reform’s local elections surge

Trump voters share what they think of the policies of his presidency's first 100 days

Why Hegseth wants to eliminate the Women, Peace and Security program

PM facing growing revolt after Reform UK’s by-election win as Labour at war over how to stop Farage’s surge

Pakistan warns of a 'nuclear flashpoint,' urges Trump to step in amid rising tensions with India over Kashmir

John Fetterman faces new spotlight on health, family drama, sparking online uproar

ICE makes major arrest after Soros-backed prosecutor made controversial plea deal

Local and mayoral elections 2025: Key results and trends

Swinney: Scotland must be alive to the threat of Farage after English elections

Local election in maps and charts: Reform delivers massive blow to traditional parties

Chris Selley: Our blundering Elections Canada only looks good compared to the U.S. system

B.C. teen who lost family in Lapu Lapu Day tragedy donates $266K from GoFundMe page to other victims

Reform UK makes big gains in English local elections

They’re not laughing now, says Nigel Farage as he hits out at critics who mocked him after Reform election gains

Trump budget includes cuts to FBI, DOJ

China signals it is open to trade talks, demands 'sincerity'

A US judge partially blocked Trump's election integrity order from taking force. Is that legal?

Trump to host military parade to celebrate Army's 250th birthday, honor active-duty service members, veterans

House Freedom Caucus embraces Trump budget proposal 'paradigm shift'

Ex-Pelosi aide accuses Hakeem Jeffries of 'squandering' anti-Trump opportunities in stunning rebuke

Fox News Politics Newsletter: Another Ivy League School Faces GOP Ire

Hegseth, Signal questions dog Waltz as potentially perilous UN ambassador confirmation hearings loom

Meet the AI, crypto executive cozying up to Trump while also backing resistance movement: 'Won't be fooled'

Lib Dems now ‘party of middle England’, says Davey as party makes gains

Tory leader apologises to councillors as party faces major local election losses

Keir Starmer urged to listen to voters amid Labour anger over by-election loss to Reform

High street cyber attacks need to be a 'wake-up call' for all businesses

Assisted deaths could top 4,000 a year within decade

Trump budget would slash rental aid by 40% -- and let states fill the gap if they want

Marco Rubio takes on dual national security roles after embracing Trump's 'America First' vision

Alastair Campbell's boring hissy fit that proves he can still convince himself of anything

Nigel Farage vows huge showdown with Labour over Channel migrant housing and hotels

Top Senate Armed Services Republican says Trump OMB's budget 'shreds to the bone' military capabilities

Conservative MP will resign Alberta riding so Poilievre can run again

Hundreds might use assisted dying service in first year, analysis estimates

Badenoch apologises as Tories suffer heavy local election defeat

Moment UK migrant smuggling operation foiled as people found squashed into rubbish-strewn van