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Article Source: JPost.com
"The United States has approved a long list of arms sales to friendly Arab countries in the Persian Gulf aimed at countering Iran's growing influence in the region.
The unprecedented sales could reach over $60 billion in pending deals with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Kuwait is interested in the Patriot system in face of Iran’s growing influence in the region. In its statement to Congress regarding the deal, the Pentagon said: “Kuwait needs these missiles to meet current and future threats of enemy air-to-ground weapons. Kuwait will use the increased capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense.”
#1 - Sat Aug 14, 2010 11:53 PM EDTAnd, of course, its another "stimulus' package for the U.S. economy...
#2 - Sat Aug 14, 2010 11:56 PM EDTWell it is sales... not grants... sales certainly don't hurt the economy, although to be fair, $60 billion is chump change when you consider that we send $500 billion the other direction to buy oil from them every year.. But that's not what this is really about, looking through the list of nations... I don't have any problems with selling planes and whatnot to those nations... it's not like we're selling the latest greatest planes anyway... F-15's aren't exactly stealth bombers after all.
Well it is sales... not grants... sales certainly don't hurt the economy,
There are differeces, of course-- but either way, if it means more production of planes (or, in fact, anything else) it means more hours worked for workers in those defense plants).
Afghanistan and Iraq were already Patriot, etc. deployments against Iranian treats. If Kuwait wants to join in, the more the merrier. I say sell'em. They go to waste sitting on the shelf.
#3 - Sun Aug 15, 2010 12:12 AM EDTMy bad, the Kuwaitis have had Patriots for a while now. This is a $900m upgrade (BBC).
And there-in lies the reasons why there will never be any peace in the Middle East.
Peace is just not profitable.
#4 - Sun Aug 15, 2010 12:34 AM EDTAnd there-in lies the reasons why there will never be any peace in the Middle East.
Peace is just not profitable.
I think that's a big oversimplification of the problems over there, and if you look at it from their perspective they are spending $60 billion, not something I would consider profitable.
However as the United States as long as we are at least one generation ahead we should be saying "thank you, come again."
spending $60 billion, not something I would consider profitable.
Maybe not for the UStaxpayer, but I think Raytheon, et al, would disagree with this statement. They make the Patriots.
Maybe not for the UStaxpayer
US Taxpayers aren't footing this bill.
US Taxpayers aren't footing this bill.
We paid for the development and all the initial weapons made. Which are then resold to other countries. I'd say we've already paid. And I doubt they are getting our best stuff. If they are, someone should be "fired".
There is no development cost associated with this sale since that is a sunk cost and was invested without this sale as a reason for the investment.
idiotic we are all on our own those pulling the strings don't have your wellbeing in mind idiotic to allow them
#5 - Sun Aug 15, 2010 1:07 AM EDTi think there many be several factors at play here. Amongst other things, the defense industry lobbies for more spending..no doubt about it. But its also true the Sunni Arab states in the area are really scared of the prospects of Iran getting nuclear weapons-- because their current government is so nutty and extreme.
But its also true the Sunni Arab states in the area are really scared of the prospects of Iran getting nuclear weapons-- because their current government is so nutty and extreme.
They should be. Even if their neighbors weren't so "nutty". The probability of M.A.D. working forever is slim. Sooner or later they will say, "F-it" and push the button.
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