MESOPOTAMIA NEWS : JOE BIDEN’S FIRST GIFTS TO THE IRANIAN MULLAHS
| U.S. Reviews Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE |
| The U.S. State Department has ordered a temporary pause on arms sales (WSJ) to Saudi Arabia and an examination of sales to the United Arab Emirates. Officials said such pauses are routine for new administrations as they review sales and transfers approved by the previous president.
Specifically under examination is the Donald J. Trump administration’s decision (WaPo) during its final months in office to sell precision-guided missiles to Saudi Arabia and stealth F-35 fighters to the UAE. It is unclear how long the review will last. Arms sales to Saudi Arabia have faced bipartisan criticism, as Saudi forces have repeatedly bombed civilian targets in war-ravaged Yemen using American-made weapons. While Trump pushed to strengthen the United States’ relationship with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Biden has vowed to “reassess” ties with Saudi Arabia (Al Jazeera). |