The Trump administration has approved $6.67 billion in new arms sales to Israel and a separate $9 billion weapons package for Saudi Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula, largely made up of sand and oil rigs. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual haj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. Formerly dictatorial and steeped in Olde Tyme Religion, deferring to Salafist holy men on all issues, it has now done a 180 and is making a serious effort to modernize, so as not to be left in the sand by its Gulf Arab neighbors. The holy men have been shoved to the background and the nation is now still dictatorial but somewhat rational. That doesn't make them trustworthy, but it's a start..., the State Department said late Friday.
The announcement of sales to America’s allies in the Middle East came as tensions rose in the region over the possibility of US military strikes on Iran. They were made public after the department notified Congress of its approval of the sales earlier Friday.
The sales also come as US President Donald Trump
...Perhaps no man has ever had as much fun being president of the US...
pushes ahead with his ceasefire plan for Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with a rusty iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about
oppressionand
disproportionate response...
, which is intended to end the Israel-Hamas
..always the voice of sweet reason...
conflict and reconstruct the Paleostinian territory after two years of war left it devastated, with tens of thousands dead.
While the ceasefire has largely held, big challenges await in its next phases, including the deployment of an international security force to supervise the deal and the difficult process of disarming Hamas.
A SERIES OF ARMS PACKAGES TO ISRAEL
The sales to Israel are split into four separate packages, including one for 30 Apache attack helicopters and related equipment and weapons, and another for 3,250 light tactical vehicles.
The Apache helicopters, which will be equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear, are the biggest part of the total package, coming to $3.8 billion, according to the State Department.
The next largest portion is the light tactical vehicles, which will be used to move personnel and logistics "to extend lines of communication" for the Israel Defense Forces and will cost $1.98 billion, it said.
Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, accused the Trump administration of rushing to announce the deals for Israel in a way that would "disregard Congressional oversight and years of standing practice."
He said in a statement that "the Trump Administration has blatantly ignored long-standing Congressional prerogatives while also refusing to engage Congress on critical questions about the next steps in Gaza and broader US-Israel policy."
Under the deals, Israel will spend an additional $740 million on power packs for armored personnel carriers it has had in service since 2008, the State Department said. The remaining $150 million will be spent on a small but unreported number of light utility helicopters to complement similar equipment it already has, it said.
In separate but nearly identical statements on Israel, the State Department said none of the new sales would affect the military balance in the region and that all of them would "enhance Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend Israel’s borders, vital infrastructure, and population centers."
"The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability," the statements said.
Netanyahu has said he is determined to ensure that Israel has its own strong and independent arms industry so that Israel is less dependent on US military aid in the next decade.
At the same time, Israel is reportedly preparing for talks with the Trump administration on a new 10-year security deal, seeking to extend US military support even as the government aims to wean itself off grants from Washington.
THE SALE TO SAUDI ARABIA
The Saudi sale is for 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment that "will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It's headquartered in Belgium. That sez it all....
Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region," the department said.
"This enhanced capability will protect land forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies and will significantly improve Saudi Arabia’s contribution" to the integrated air and missile defense system in the region, it said.
It was announced after Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman met with top Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio
...The diminutive 13-year-old Republican U.S. Senator from Florida, Secretary of State in the second Trump administration...
and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.