[Dean's World] G. Willow Wilson: Selling Arms to Enemies

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by G. Willow Wilson:
Selling Arms to Enemies
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1200367934.shtml


   One of the biggest reasons the US is made to look hypocritical in the
   Middle East is its continued support of the Saudi regime, whose
   largest export, next to oil, is fundamentalist ideology. Repressive of
   religious minorities (including Muslim minorities--when Aziz goes on
   Hajj, they'll put him in a camp), repressive of individual rights,
   repressive of artistic expression, women's autonomy, workers' rights,
   and on and on ad nauseum, the Saudi government is probably the most
   religiously extreme on earth. But today, Bush is pushing through a
   deal to sell them [1]Joint Direct Attack Munitions bomb kits.

   We need Arab allies, but we shouldn't be handing out weapons like this
   before the Kingdom delivers on its increasingly meaningless promise to
   improve its human rights situation. The rationale behind this deal is
   to "offset" Iran's radical influence in the region.

   None of the 9/11 bombers were Iranian. Half were Saudi. In Iran, women
   can drive, work, walk in the streets with uncovered faces without fear
   of reprisal, and hold seats in government. Which is not to say the
   unreality of the mullahs is a pleasant one, but if I had a choice
   between living in Riyadh and living in Isfahan I wouldn't even have to
   think about it.

   If we're really concerned about terrorism, where are our priorities?

References

   1. http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1335797520080114