Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Bushama's Legacy

Sit down before you read this:

"Israel's Channel 2 has today reported that Israeli officials have accepted the most recent US military aid package, which will see them receiving some $38 billion over the next decade." (Report: US, Israel agree on $38 billion military aid deal, Jason Ditz, antiwar.com, 12/9/16)

"Since taking office in January 2009, the Obama administration has offered over $115 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia in 42 separate deals, more than any US administration in the history of the US-Saudi relationship." (US arms transfers to Saudi Arabia & the war in Yemen, William D. Hartung, securityassistance.org, 9/6/16)

1 comment:

Grappler said...

It's important to highlight the difference, MERC. The US is giving Israel money to buy arms (and steal technology, as it has repeatedly). The US is selling arms to Saudi Arabia.

Another interesting aspect of this is the agreement for the US to maintain Israel's "qualitative military edge" over its neighbours. So if the US is selling state-of-the-art military equipment to Saudi Arabia, it might be forced to supply Israel with even better equipment at some stage and it's not clear if Israel will have to pay for it. Can you imagine a more stupid policy?