Critics Slam Obama Administration for 'Hiding' Massive Saudi Arms Deal (Largest Ever)

ABC News ^ | 11/19/10

[My Favorite Headache]

The Obama administration has quietly forged ahead with its proposal to sell $60 billion worth of fighter jets and attack helicopters to Saudi Arabia unhampered by Congress, despite questions raised in legislative inquiries and in an internal congressional report about the wisdom of the deal.

The massive arms deal would be the single largest sale of weapons to a foreign nation in the history of the U.S., outfitting Saudi Arabia with a fully modernized, potent new air force.

"Our six-decade-long security relationship with Saudi Arabia is a primary security pillar in the region," Defense Sec. Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton wrote in a Nov. 16 letter to congress. "This package continues that tradition."

But some critics are questioning the deal, and the stealthy effort by the Obama administration to avoid a more probing congressional review by notifying Congress last month, just as members were headed home for the November elections. Congress had 30 days to raise objections -- a review period that concludes Saturday. With most members leaving Washington today, any significant effort to block the deal appears dead for now, officials said.

"I do not think there will be any action" to hold up the sale, Rep. Howard Berman, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Bloomberg News Thursday.

[My Favorite Headache]

Gotta read the rest of this article...very long and detailed.

[jessduntno]

Hmmmmmmmmm ... what group of 19 individuals had 14 who originated from Saudi Arabia?

[marstegreg]

I feel increasingly worried for Israel.

[FrankR]

[NOBO2]

Another extra-Congressional decision, and this comes on the heels of Bammy severely warning the new Congress today not to defund his precious stimulus money. I smell revolt coming soon.

[tanknetter]

I feel increasingly worried for Israel.

According to the article, anyways, the sale involves 85 F-15s (which will be a derivative of the US's "E" variant) and 175 attack helicopters.

The attack helos (assume derivative of the AH-64D) won't pose much of a threat to Israel themselves, as any large movement of them into a threatening position would in conjunction with movement of other Saudi military assets, be seen by Israeli recce assets, and would provoke an immediate Israeli preemptive strike.

The F-15s may be worrisome, but remember that they are the multi-role version of the F-15 (the single seat dedicated air-superiority version having ended production over two decades ago with the F-15C). Even if the Saudis get the proposed F-15SE "Silent Eagle" variant, the one getting stealth enhancements, the Israelis will be getting a fair number of F-35As which, when used in a defensive posture, will ensure them complete air dominance over any other air force operating in the region, except for the US (only operator of the F-22A). That's WITHOUT factoring in the AD batteries (Patriots/PAC3s, etc), the coordinated defense networks, etc that the Israelis have. This sale strikes me as being targeted against the possibility of a regional war with Iran (which the Saudis, tho they may really hate Israel, knows is the biggest threat to them), with negligible impact on Israel's security.

[ColdOne]

Rep. Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat, submitted a resolution this week to try and block the deal, and was among those who objected to the way the administration approached the required congressional review. Wow Weiner is one of them so this is interesting he objects? I so dislike this bunch

[SootyFoot2]

Where do you suppose these weapons will end up? In Iran? With Hamas? Who knows???

[marstegreg]

This sale strikes me as being targeted against the possibility of a regional war with Iran (which the Saudis, tho they may really hate Israel, knows is the biggest threat to them), with negligible impact on Israels security.

I understand that this is the current situation, but remember Afghanistan? Remember how we trained them and armed them only to have to return to fight them ourselves? Remember reading that pushing the Russians back (with our help) empowered them to come up with 9/11? This is a very dangerous game he is playing. I pray that history will not repeat itself.I am stunned that we have learned nothing from our mistakes (especially in the Middle East)

[Hoodat]

And liberals accused George W. Bush of being in bed with the Saudis.

[Red Steel]

The very first bow from Obama to a head of state was to the Saudi King.

All the other bows that followed was to cover up his fealty to the protector of Mecca and Medina.

[ColdOne]

Hahaha! What is the yellow button on his lapel? A union label?
I think you got everything FrankR. Rules for Radicals in his pocket, the ice cream cone.

[Spitzensparkin1]

Where do you suppose these weapons will end up? In Iran? With Hamas? Who knows???

Melted into the glass of what was once their airfields if they ever turned them against Israel.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks My Favorite Headache.

• US concerned over Saudi weapon deal's impact on Israel [Congress]

And yet, Clinton also sez:

• Young Israel Slams Critical US Report
• US State Dept: Israel Similar to Iran, Iraq and Sudan

[HollyB]

Is this the same arms deal we were discussing when Michelle was in Spain?

[CommieCutter]

“And liberals accused George W. Bush of being in bed with the Saudis.”

http://www.bartcop.com/bush-kiss-sheik.jpg

[Hoodat]

Let me know when you find the one of the Saudi King giving Obama the reach-around.

[MamaDearest]

....despite questions raised in legislative inquiries and in an internal congressional report about the wisdom of the deal.

Hmmmm,

Obama administration supports Saudi immunity in 9/11 lawsuit

The late Beverly Eckert's Saudi case quashed by President Barack Obama

A Saudi prince's threat to the Obama administration

9/11 families - Obama favors Saudi terror financiers over victims

Saudi Prince paid for Obama's Harvard Law Education - HRH Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin AbdulAziz Alsaud

[Vendome]

[CanaGuy]

I guess this arms deal is ok, as long as you don’t sell them the really good stuff. After all, you might have to invade them in a few years if good King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud changes his mind about cheap oil, terrorist camps, and drinking at the PX.