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Trump administration releases another $195 million in Egypt aid

The Donald Trump administration has issued a national security waiver allowing it to release more military aid despite congressional concerns over Cairo’s human rights record and ties to North Korea.
Egypt security forces stand guard during the trial of Khaled Ali in Cairo, Egypt, November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RC12D0E79D60

The Donald Trump administration is releasing another $195 million in military assistance to Egypt after unblocking an identical amount last month, Al-Monitor has learned.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo notified Congress last week about the administration’s decision to override congressional aid restrictions on national security grounds. The notification is required by annual spending legislation that freezes 15% of the annual $1.3 billion military aid budget for Egypt absent progress on human rights and other issues, unless the administration justifies waiving the restriction.

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