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Bucky

(54,027 posts) Tue Jun 6, 2017, 07:09 AM Jun 2017

Brookings Institute: there is no $110bn Saudi arms deal. It's fake

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2017/06/05/the-110-billion-arms-deal-to-saudi-arabia-is-fake-news/

The $110 billion arms deal to Saudi Arabia is fake news
by Bruce Riedel

"I’ve spoken to contacts in the defense business and on the Hill, and all of them say the same thing: There is no $110 billion deal. Instead, there are a bunch of letters of interest or intent, but not contracts. Many are offers that the defense industry thinks the Saudis will be interested in someday. So far nothing has been notified to the Senate for review. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the arms sales wing of the Pentagon, calls them “intended sales.” None of the deals identified so far are new, all began in the Obama administration."

<snip>

"You will know the Trump deal is real when Israel begins to ask for a package to keep the Israeli Defense Forces’ qualitative edge preserved. What is coming soon is a billion-dollars deal for more munitions for the war in Yemen. The Royal Saudi Air Force needs more munitions to continue the air bombardment of the Arab world’s poorest country."

( also covered in this article is the fact that the Obama Administration sold $112 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia in eight years. But because of low oil prices, the Saudis are still struggling to make those payments. They probably can't afford an additional $110 billion to Trump.)

14 replies

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Highlight:

Brookings Institute: there is no $110bn Saudi arms deal. It's fake (Original Post) Bucky Jun 2017 OP

If this is true, the Saudis' have colluded on this lie to boost Trump Doodley Jun 2017 #1

Since we are dealing with a known con artist, the question I always ask Tanuki Jun 2017 #2

good point . . . n/t annabanana Jun 2017 #3

In any con, if you don't know who is the mark, then you are jberryhill Jun 2017 #5

Beware "allies" scrambling to get what they can from this failed presidency. Barack_America Jun 2017 #4

There have been several reports that Tillerson was facilitating a new Exxon/Saudi deal wishstar Jun 2017 #6

Of course. But, hey, he got some nice gold bling to wear. tanyev Jun 2017 #7

I'm assuming that the $100 million payout to the Trump Slush Fund is still happening. NBachers Jun 2017 #8

It's beginning to look like we can't trust this Trump guy. dchill Jun 2017 #9

AWESOME POST! SkyDaddy7 Jun 2017 #10

You're so welcome. dchill Jun 2017 #11

Cool...It was!! SkyDaddy7 Jun 2017 #12

I'm shocked. Shocked I tells ya. progressoid Jun 2017 #13

That's True! After $40B of graft and kickbacks, it'll be reduced to a $70B arms deal. TheBlackAdder Jun 2017 #14

Doodley

(9,095 posts)

1. If this is true, the Saudis' have colluded on this lie to boost Trump

Reply to Bucky (Original post)

Tue Jun 6, 2017, 07:24 AM

Jun 2017

Tanuki

(14,919 posts)

2. Since we are dealing with a known con artist, the question I always ask

Reply to Doodley (Reply #1)

Tue Jun 6, 2017, 07:33 AM

Jun 2017

is, if this is a misdirection, where is the real action? What are they cooking up in some other sphere (oil, access to assets, etc.) that they prefer to keep concealed? Pickpockets thrive when your attention is diverted, and they often create or collude in the diversion.

annabanana

(52,791 posts)

3. good point . . . n/t

Reply to Tanuki (Reply #2)

Tue Jun 6, 2017, 07:35 AM

Jun 2017

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)

5. In any con, if you don't know who is the mark, then you are

Reply to Tanuki (Reply #2)

Tue Jun 6, 2017, 07:42 AM

Jun 2017

However, at this point, I think it is Trump who is being played, bigly, from every direction.

Other leaders have long figured out that if you blow smoke up his ass, he'll do or say whatever you want. The problem with leaders of democratic states is that they are accountable for what they say to him. Autocrats and kings, not so much. That's why he prefers autocrats and kings to democratically elected leaders.

Barack_America

(28,876 posts)

4. Beware "allies" scrambling to get what they can from this failed presidency.

Reply to Bucky (Original post)

Tue Jun 6, 2017, 07:36 AM

Jun 2017

wishstar

(5,270 posts)

6. There have been several reports that Tillerson was facilitating a new Exxon/Saudi deal

Reply to Bucky (Original post)

Tue Jun 6, 2017, 08:12 AM

Jun 2017

Lots of rumors that several joint US/Saudi business deals were promoted included Tillerson providing support for Exxon/Saudis to begin planning for a new $10 billion refinery in Corpus Christi Texas.