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The Trump administration is preparing to okay another nearly half-billion dollar sale of aerial bombs to Saudi Arabia – the same bombs that have been used in #Yemen to horrific effect since March 2015.
A few words on that…
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-23/state-department-backs-contested-478-million-saudi-arms-sale?utm_source=google&utm_medium=bd&cmpId=google
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A few words on that…
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-23/state-department-backs-contested-478-million-saudi-arms-sale?utm_source=google&utm_medium=bd&cmpId=google
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Saudi Arabia’s air campaign in Yemen has caused thousands of civilian casualties & even more deaths from the wanton destruction of health facilities, water facilities, &other critical infrastructure. The failure of Yemen’s economy is driving the world’s largest crisis.
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US arms sales to Saudi Arabia (and the UAE) send a clear signal: what matters is helping the US defense industry & autocrats friendly to Pres. Trump. What doesn’t matter is whether international law is respected or what happens to Yemen’s people fighting for survival.
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The US cannot be a peace broker & an arms broker at the same time. Selling arms to one side has eliminated the US's credibility with all sides. It’s little wonder the US’s calls for peace, restraint, humanitarian access, etc. have been roundly ignored by everyone in Yemen.
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Congress has made its view on this issue crystal clear. Bipartisan majorities voted to block the last sales to Saudi Arabia in 2018 b/c of concerns about Yemen. Those arms are only being shipped b/c President Trump vetoed Congress’s resolutions of disapproval.
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Under the Arms Export Control Act, Congress has to pass legislation to block an arms sale (that survives a veto). The AECA assumes a responsible, restraint-oriented executive & respectful collaboration between executive and legislative branches. That. System. Is. Broken.
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The next Congress should pass legislation to reform AECA and “flip the script,” so that Congress must approve most arms sales before they are licensed. Pres.-Elect Biden should sign it, welcoming a more assertive Congress & a more discerning approach to arms sales.
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But before far-sighted reform, there’s the urgent humanitarian matter of ongoing US support for one side of a conflict that should have ended long ago. Pres.-Elect Biden has promised to review the US-Saudi relationship, but stopping these sales can’t wait.
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When he takes office, President-Elect Biden should IMMEDIATELY halt ALL pending deliveries of aerial munitions and related parts and services to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, licensed or not.
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