Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s visit to the Middle East in the next week is expected to be used as an opportunity for the Pentagon to finalize yet another massive arms export deal to the region, with $10 billion in warplanes going to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Israel’s portion is heavily subsidized by the $3 billion-plus in annual US military aid to them, and includes a V-22 Osprey, the first time any foreign military has been allowed to purchase one.
The bulk of the sales are 26 F-16 warplanes for the United Arab Emirates, however, along with precision air-to-ground missiles. The deal is being presented as a “counter” to Iran in the region.
In reality, of course, it is unlikely the UAE would ever consider launching offensive operations against its neighbor across the Gulf, which is 20 times its size. The massive arms sales to them and other small nations in the area are mostly for the sake of diplomatic show, as well as for those nations’ rulers to trumpet their advanced militaries as a source of prestige.
the front page head line reads
"US Selling $10M in Arms"
should be billion not million
p.s. another step closer to war with iran,
Which idiot believe the US "sells" weapons to the chi**y little state? Have they ever paid for anything they take from the shi**y big state?
the rulers of the persian gulf states are quite wealthy, i beleive it is the king of bahrain who would first construct a military base then invited the us to use it
I was referring only to the Shi**y little state which pays nobody nothing. And you would be very naive to think that the K of Bahrain can even go to the toilet without permission, let alonw build a base. Wise up Paul.
sorry im apparently more dense then i thought, i figured everyone is aware of regulars arms transfers to israel not worthy of comment or attention, and that the news here was the sale to the gulf states,
sorry im apparently more dense then i thought, i figured everyone is aware of regulars arms transfers to israel and that this particular deal is not worthy of any extra comment or attention, and that the news here was the sale to the gulf states, since it would be one more step in preparations for war with iran
The mighty US – those icons of world humanity always ready to come to the aid of those in need of aid – the largest purveyor of weapons in the world – available to anyone who can pay the price. Does no one see the only place this can lead? Armageddon will be when we kill off humanity in the name of "national pride."
Selling? Easy terms pay us when you get the money. Of course these terms don't apply to the Arabs; you know the ones who funded bin Laden.
At least all the war factories will be humming in Detroit..(sarc)