The Associated Press and the Metro newspaper in NYC reported last week that the U.S. would be selling $60 billion worth of advanced military weaponry to Saudi Arabia. This was reported to Congress by State Department and Pentagon officials.The sale includes fighter jets, attack helicopters and a wide array of missiles, bombs and delivery systems. The deal is being described as necessary to keep the peace in that region. It is mind boggling that we never learn that military build-ups usually lead to more conflict and eventually war rather than peace. This does not look like a peaceful move to me. Congress apparently has 30 days to stop the sale but no opposition is expected. My questions would be:
1. How does introducing more weapons lead to peaceful resolutions?
2. How many additional military personell will we send with the weapons to "train" the Saudis?
3. Is this really all about protecting our access to oil in the Middle East?
4. What do Israel and others in the region really feel about this?
5. When will we stop thinking of weapons to resolve issues rather than peaceful, humane approaches?
Again, it is mind boggling to me. What do you think?
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