“It’s commendable that the US stood firm on the human rights conditions it had set. Yet, in the bigger picture, the administration remains far too supportive of the Sisi regime and human rights remain far too marginal in US policy.”

“[Blocking aid to Egypt based on human rights conditions] is the right thing to do, but unfortunately the impact…is undermined by simultaneously moving forward with arms sales, nearly 20 times more than the amount being reprogramed.”

“Egypt remains an authoritarian US security partner in the Arab world, and the US, as we know historically, has been very reluctant to push against authoritarian Arab allies who are partners on counterterrorism and security.”

“I don’t think any progress in the human rights situation has been made over the past decade. In fact, by all accounts, by all measures, the human rights situation today is far worse than what it was on January 25, 2011.”

“The administration must address the fact that Egypt frequently acts in opposition to US interests, from supporting the military coup in Sudan, to maintaining one of the most repressive regimes in the world.”

“Biden wants cooperative and strong relations with Sisi more than he really wants to press him on human rights. And that’s very regrettable because the human rights situation is atrocious, abysmal. It’s a stain on the United States’ record.”

“I see this as a purely cosmetic move: Sisi has all the repressive powers he needs already, outside of the Emergency Law. Releasing political prisoners and ending the trials of those currently being prosecuted…would be much more meaningful.”

“Biden has created expectations that so far he has utterly failed to meet [with respect to accountability on human rights in the Middle East].”

“When put in the same position four years ago, the Trump administration was stronger on human rights in Egypt.”