Egypt's record on human rights is getting worse. Could withholding American military aid help?
The pattern over the last five years has been consistent: The U.S. withholds military aid from Egypt, citing human rights concerns, only to eventually release the funds before any substantial improvement.
The first time was under President Barack Obama's administration in 2013. The United States suspended aid after Egypt's first elected president, Mohamed Morsi, was ousted. Two years later, Obama restored the annual $1.3 billion in military financing, citing the need to help Egypt defeat Islamic State militants in the Sinai province.
