Earlier this week, the United States government approved arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that tolerated over $5 billion. This arms sale came about despite the heavy criticism the Saudi-led coalition has faced with regards to its military conduct in the war in Yemen.
According to a PressTV report, the notice of approval took place on August 2, 2022, two weeks following US President Joe Biden’s controversial trip to Saudi Arabia. On that trip, Biden met up with Saudi leaders in an attempt to alleviate the deteriorating relations the two countries have experienced since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman allegedly ordered. The liberal media instantly soured on the corporate press. Biden picked up on the anti-Saudi mania during the 2020 campaign trial by vowing to make Saudi Arabia a pariah state on the world stage.
Now, things have taken a 180 degree turn.
According to the State Department, Saudi Arabia is expected to buy 300 Patriot MIM-104E missile systems and similar equipment for roughly $3.05 billion. According to Press TV, the missile systems in question can be used to “shoot down long-range incoming ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as fighter jets.”
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region,” the State Department declared in a statement.
“The proposed sale will improve the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by replenishing its dwindling stock of PATRIOT GEM-T missiles,” the State Department continued.
Furthermore, the US government will sell Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System Missiles and similar equipment to the UAE for a cool $2.25 billion.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important regional partner. The UAE is a vital US partner for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the State Department outlined.
While these week’s approvals are for defensive weapons, they may still garner opposition in Congress. Back in 2021, elected officials supported the Biden regime’s move to prohibit US sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia and the UAE due to the alleged war crimes they’ve committed in Yemen.
However, with the relative easing of relations between the US and Saudi Arabia, the Biden regime is now entertaining the idea of ending its ban on US sales of offensive weapons to the Saudis.
Since the Yemeni Civil war popped off in 2014, the Saudi-led coalition has used American weapons in airstrikes that have slaughtered civilian targets throughout Yemen.
For his part, Biden has relaxed his approach to dealing with Saudi Arabia in recent months. This was a part of Biden’s effort to get the Saudis to boost oil production in order to cushion the blow from the loss of Russian supplies in the global energy market, while also lowering gas prices domestically.
On top of that, the US is building an Israeli-Gulf Arab coalition, in which Saudi Arabia will be a key player, in efforts to contain Iran, and even Turkey, if it decides to go rogue and pursue an expansionist foreign policy in the Middle East.
The Middle East offers little strategic value to the US. Under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, the US nearly reached a state of energy independence. However, that has completely reversed with the Biden regime, which is arguably the most anti-oil and gas presidency in modern history.
The America First movement needs to make energy independence a key part of its policy platform. That way, the US will not have to be as involved in the Middle East — a perpetual conflict zone — to meet its energy needs.
Saudi Arabia is an ally with tons of baggage and US policymakers should do everything possible to recalibrate relations with it and pull out of the Middle East together.
Our southern border and the Western Hemisphere is of far greater geopolitical importance.
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