We've had an uncomfortably comfortable relationship with Saudi Arabia for a long time. Since WWII, we've had our ups and downs while maintaining peace and attempted cooperation. Now the Pentagon has approved an arms deal possibly worth up to $60 billion.
I am struggling very hard to paste my opinion here. Let's just say that it will be imperative to track these sales. I'd be interested (and terrified) to see where these planes, helicopters, etc, have landed in five or ten years, and what they are being used for.
Quick note of clarification: Saudi Arabia has shown strong support for US initiates in recent history, and I don't mean to imply corruption or incompetence. But historically, when $60 billion or some obscene amount worth of US military equipment goes into a turbulent region, people like Victor Bout get giddy.
From what I understand the US started pumping arms into Saudia 30 some odd years ago. Instead of giving weapons to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war, we went through KSA. Since '88 I'm not sure what has happened, but I know the US invested a lot into making sure that Iran didn't get close to harming Saudi. Nonetheless, the new deal is worrisome. What was the explanation provided for it?
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