U.S. Militarization of the Middle East
On July 30, just before leaving on a trip to the Middle East, Secretary of State Condolezzaa Rice announced plans to provide tens of billions in offensive military weapons for Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a reflection of the military character of the trip, Secretary Rice was accompanied by the Pentagon’s Secretary, Robert Gates. The funding includes $30 billion to Israel over ten years, $13 billion to Egypt, and unnamed billions (most estimates put the figure at $20 billion or more) to Saudi Arabia and the five other Gulf states. The militarization includes such offensive weapons as guided missiles, fighter jets and new naval vessels. Congress must approve these deals.
The government did not hesitate to emphasize that the aim of the trip was to guarantee the lasting U.S. military presence in the area and to “confront the threat of radicalism,” as Rice put it. The aim of the weapons and the trip, Rice said, is “to affirm to our allies and friends in the region the enduring commitment of the United States to security and stability and progress in the Middle East.” She said the U.S. “strategic interest in the Middle East” means maintaining “a very strong American presence and influence in the region,” over the long term. The more immediate objective, she added, is to “help bolster the forces of moderation and support a broader strategy to counter the negative influence of Al Qaida, Hizbollah, Syria and Iran.” Gates emphasized that the U.S. has been in the Gulf for 60 years and “We have every intention of being here a lot longer.” Gates added that the arms for the Saudis and others are to reassure them that “regardless of what happens in the near term in Iraq that our commitment in the region remains firm, remains steadfast and that, in fact, we are looking to enhance and develop it.”
Evidently Rice thinks just the mention of Al Quida together with Hizbollah and Iran will convince peoples here and abroad that the lies of the government about the conditions in the region, the source of problems and the threat of “terrorism,” are all true. Instead, what is clear is that the U.S.-Israeli occupations are indeed being threatened and the resistance is prevailing, in Lebanon, in Palestine, in Iraq, in Afghanistan. The U.S. is acting to use yet more force against the peoples, dragging other countries in the region into the U.S. quagmire. And all these actions are counter to the demand of Americans to bring all U.S. troops home now and to get out of the region so the peoples can determine their own affairs.
While announcing the packages, the government is not saying what the U.S. is getting in return. As Gates comments indicate, they are specifically denying that there was any “quid pro quo” in relation to Iraq. They did however indicate that “enhancing and developing,” the U.S. presence involves more bases and troop agreements with these countries by the U.S. military. During a press conference July 30, under-Secretary of State R. Nicholas Burns said that in addition to continuing our “decades-long military assistance policies toward the Gulf states,” the U.S. also has “basing agreements and status of forces agreements with all these countries.” He deferred to the Pentagon to announce any such agreements at a later date. Few have any doubt that a deal concerning longer-term basing and troops has been made.
While the government claims a main problem in the region is Iran, which even the U.S. admits does not have nuclear weapons, it is increasing funding to Israel, long the main aggressor in the region. Israel invaded and occupied Palestine and Lebanon, for example. Thanks to the U.S., Israel also has nuclear weapons. Its aggression and occupation, backed by the U.S. have long been a major source of instability and crimes against the peoples. Yet the arms deal will provide another $30 billion in military arms to Israel over a ten-year period. This is a 25 percent increase in funds and weapons for Israel, and is occurring at time when Israel is still engaged in criminal and brutal aggression against the Palestinians. Israel supports the deal with other states in the region with the same false hopes of the U.S. — that it will crush resistance.
In addition, by law, U.S. weapons sold abroad cannot be used for offensive purposes or for conducting human rights abuses. It is well known that Israel does both. The increased military deal then is direct approval and funding by the U.S. for continued crimes in the region and directly contrary to U.S. law.
Clearly the government has yet to learn the lesson, despite repeated failures, that use of force and occupations of other countries solves no problem. However, it does serve to intensify resistance to U.S. militarization and empire-building.
The government did not hesitate to emphasize that the aim of the trip was to guarantee the lasting U.S. military presence in the area and to “confront the threat of radicalism,” as Rice put it. The aim of the weapons and the trip, Rice said, is “to affirm to our allies and friends in the region the enduring commitment of the United States to security and stability and progress in the Middle East.” She said the U.S. “strategic interest in the Middle East” means maintaining “a very strong American presence and influence in the region,” over the long term. The more immediate objective, she added, is to “help bolster the forces of moderation and support a broader strategy to counter the negative influence of Al Qaida, Hizbollah, Syria and Iran.” Gates emphasized that the U.S. has been in the Gulf for 60 years and “We have every intention of being here a lot longer.” Gates added that the arms for the Saudis and others are to reassure them that “regardless of what happens in the near term in Iraq that our commitment in the region remains firm, remains steadfast and that, in fact, we are looking to enhance and develop it.”
Evidently Rice thinks just the mention of Al Quida together with Hizbollah and Iran will convince peoples here and abroad that the lies of the government about the conditions in the region, the source of problems and the threat of “terrorism,” are all true. Instead, what is clear is that the U.S.-Israeli occupations are indeed being threatened and the resistance is prevailing, in Lebanon, in Palestine, in Iraq, in Afghanistan. The U.S. is acting to use yet more force against the peoples, dragging other countries in the region into the U.S. quagmire. And all these actions are counter to the demand of Americans to bring all U.S. troops home now and to get out of the region so the peoples can determine their own affairs.
While announcing the packages, the government is not saying what the U.S. is getting in return. As Gates comments indicate, they are specifically denying that there was any “quid pro quo” in relation to Iraq. They did however indicate that “enhancing and developing,” the U.S. presence involves more bases and troop agreements with these countries by the U.S. military. During a press conference July 30, under-Secretary of State R. Nicholas Burns said that in addition to continuing our “decades-long military assistance policies toward the Gulf states,” the U.S. also has “basing agreements and status of forces agreements with all these countries.” He deferred to the Pentagon to announce any such agreements at a later date. Few have any doubt that a deal concerning longer-term basing and troops has been made.
While the government claims a main problem in the region is Iran, which even the U.S. admits does not have nuclear weapons, it is increasing funding to Israel, long the main aggressor in the region. Israel invaded and occupied Palestine and Lebanon, for example. Thanks to the U.S., Israel also has nuclear weapons. Its aggression and occupation, backed by the U.S. have long been a major source of instability and crimes against the peoples. Yet the arms deal will provide another $30 billion in military arms to Israel over a ten-year period. This is a 25 percent increase in funds and weapons for Israel, and is occurring at time when Israel is still engaged in criminal and brutal aggression against the Palestinians. Israel supports the deal with other states in the region with the same false hopes of the U.S. — that it will crush resistance.
In addition, by law, U.S. weapons sold abroad cannot be used for offensive purposes or for conducting human rights abuses. It is well known that Israel does both. The increased military deal then is direct approval and funding by the U.S. for continued crimes in the region and directly contrary to U.S. law.
Clearly the government has yet to learn the lesson, despite repeated failures, that use of force and occupations of other countries solves no problem. However, it does serve to intensify resistance to U.S. militarization and empire-building.
