Venezuela plans to buy more Russian and Chinese arms
Source: Business Insider
Venezuela has announced plans to increase its total amount of arms imports from Russia and China in the coming years, Russian network Sputnik reports.
Venezuela is already the largest weapons importer in South America.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Venezuela imported $349 million worth of arms from China and $1.96 billion worth of arms from Russia between 2010 and 2014.
In 2013 alone, Caracas imported $1 billion worth of military equipment from Moscow. Between 2012 and 2015, Venezuela is expected to become the world's second largest importer of Russian weapons, Sputnik reports citing the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/venezuela-plans-to-buy-more-russian-and-chinese-arms-2015-4
As long as they're spending their dwindling resources on the important things.....
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)you'd think they'd be a little more concerned with feeding their population but I guess they've gotta feed their paymasters first.
forest444
(5,902 posts)Why, the U.S.
The fact is, that Obama still hasn't been able to wrest control over the State Department's Western Hemisphere desk or the Latin America sections in the intelligence services from Miami exile extremists (many with drug trafficking links). To be fair, perhaps no one can - and much to the detriment of our relations with Latin America and our standing with the rest of the world.
Our interference in Latin America is probably second only to our support for Israeli genocide in its occupied territories in its power to motivate anti-American sentiment abroad.
Hulk
(6,699 posts)Your points are well taken.
I'm learning, through censorship, that we don't dare criticize the "hold" Israel has on this country. We are "THEIR puppet", not the other way around.
We will continue to support and defend the crimes of the state of Israel until the last day our government is controlled by their loyalists. Call them what you want. I learned you don't refer to them as ...well, I dare not say the nasty word that identifies a citizen of Israel again, or it will be my second censorship in as many days.
7962
(11,841 posts)who are about to start a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
Lets see if the "framework" agreed to the other day looks the same when its due to be signed.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)7962
(11,841 posts)I'm sure he'd love to know. Lovely team you're building for peace
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)International politics isn't a high school sporting event. But some of you guys just seem like belligerent cheerleaders.
betterdemsonly
(1,967 posts)when they talk of the "blame America first crowd!"
7962
(11,841 posts)and he usually does blame America first
Little Tich
(6,171 posts)I read that other post that got hidden in the I/P forum. I found it pretty offensive.
Hulk
(6,699 posts)You found it offensive. I saw it as pretty frank and perhaps not worded quite eloquently so as not to hurt your feelings. The fact that Israel is responsible for the same oppressive crimes that many Jews experienced in the Warsaw ghettos and other places of pain and suffering in the 40's needs to be faced up to.
My intent was not to label people of faith as guilty of the crimes, but certainly the government of Israel has been up to it's eyeballs in the same sort of oppression that they say they must not forget. Hypocritical to me.
My wording may not have been the best, but I think the point was made. This site doesn't want to offend anyone, and that is doing no one any service.
Little Tich
(6,171 posts)that they were Jewish. Try a different approach next time.
It has been noticed by some that there is an increase of antisemitism on DU. Mayhaps you are part of that increase?
Hulk
(6,699 posts)This is problem with most of the readers on this site. They presume to know what one is thinking, and assume that because it doesn't fit with your opinions it's racist, or bigoted, or some other such negative character.
My original post was refering to politicians in OUR government that are more concerned with their allegiance to Israel than is acceptable. When we cover their butts when they should be, at the very least, condemned by the UN; when we fight their battles with OUR blood and treasure, while they sit and shout for more war....that is dead wrong!
You can get the last bark on this one, because I'm done responding to you and your ilk. I won't defend "Jews" anymore than I would defend Christians, Muslims, or any other faith. It just so happens that our federal, and often state governments, are too closely aligned to the wishes of Israel. That's wrong, in my opinion. And we are paying the price for it.
Little Tich
(6,171 posts)You can bactrack all you want, but your post was interpreted as racist and that's why it got hidden.
There are some persons of Jewish descent that support Israel, and then some that don't. There is no way that you can rationalize a person's support for Israel by identifying them as Jewish. You are conflating the perceived characteristics of a group with an individual. This is logically incorrect, and in this case, offensive.
If you persist in making this mistake, you will continue making the wrong assumptions about some people, and your arguments will be faulty.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)We know you're dying to. Have the courage of your nasty little convictions.
Hulk
(6,699 posts)Save your ignorant little comments for someone who enjoys your dim sense of humor. I have plenty enough courage to say what is on my mind, and I'm sure I don't need your encouragement at all.
And who is this "we" you refer to? Fool.
EX500rider
(10,856 posts)Worst genocide ever...
Palestinian population growth rate:
1.99% (2014 est.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_Palestinian_territories#Population_growth_rate
PersonNumber503602
(1,134 posts)They are purchasing actual arms for the soylent green.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Would that any other Latin American country received such caring attention here.
brooklynite
(94,727 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)As George Orwell said, and he will be tossed under the bus by those who love to trot out some of his quotes without taking the time to look at him in context:
The majority of pacifists either belong to obscure religious sects or are simply humanitarians who object to taking life and prefer not to follow their thoughts beyond that point.
But there is a minority of intellectual pacifists, whose real though unacknowledged motive appears to be hatred of western democracy and admiration for totalitarianism.
Pacifist propaganda usually boils down to saying that one side is as bad as the other, but if one looks closely at the writing of the younger intellectual pacifists, one finds that they do not by any means express impartial disapproval but are directed almost entirely against Britain and the United States...
The reason they did so was not because their government did the unpardonable sin. It was that they did not do well in their place so want to tear it down. As if that would help them. I'm not speaking of the oppressed, but those who constantly call for a revolution, which they can watch at a safe distance and feel justified in their malice.
George Orwell also said this in regards to WW2, specifically:
Pacifism is objectively pro-fascist. This is elementary common sense. If you hamper the war effort of one side, you automatically help out that of the other. Nor is there any real way of remaining outside such a war as the present one. In practice, 'he that is not with me is against me'.
Some like myself, are coming to feel WW2 never really ended. The world has been at war at a fast or slow pace forever. The theaters or war zones or the names of the combatants have changed, but wars never end:
Ambrose Bierce defined 'peace':
Peace, n. In international affairs, a period of cheating between two periods of fighting.
We've been fortunate to have a man like Obama who thinks in the long term, as there are no winners, ultimately in wars, or harsh relationships between nations, except for a very few. But dammit, he's not giving some the show they want to see.
I'm less willing to tolerate the 'I'm going to beat you to death with slogans and loaded words' crowd in my dotage. That may be a bad sign, or else a huge improvement, but I've changed the more I've learned.
Telcontar
(660 posts)Will have to remember that
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)I mean this seriously & honestly but when the US has a "bad guy" the media kinda goes along with it so there is a bit of an information war going on but it is worse when it comes to Latin America particularly when it comes to the mainstream Western press. Take Columbia, you have US, Canada, France, and Britain supporting the Columbian government but I never ever hear the media talk about Columbia except to relay a comment from a President that we are aiding the government in its battle against "Narco-Terrorists" but considering Columbia has had continuous armed conflict that you can trace to the 50s when a populist was assasinated.
This is all about $$ you probably want to question why they are in the news so much, especially when the US allies & supports countries far more corrupt & with poverty but they let Shell, Exxon Mobile, Chevron have free reign which if Venezuela was more willing to do we wouldn't be hearing about any of this shit.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)What do you when you can't provide basics for up ue people? Why buy more weapons, of course!
Judi Lynn
(160,621 posts)If you really expect to be informed regarding Latin America the least you could do is start trying to do your own reading, rather than buying what the corporate media has opted to tell you, or letting Fox "News" do your thinking for you.
From a new article, some very well-established info. people who do even a bit of research already know:
Weekend Edition April 3-5, 2015
Standing Up to the Empire
Why is the US So Frightened of Venezuela?
by MARIA PAEZ VICTOR
Obama is not in Kansas anymore, but he does not seem to know it. Latin America no longer slavishly accepts orders from the USA; it is no longer the USAs back yard.
The mainstream media has downplayed the fact that President Obama has just declared yet another country an enemy of the USA one in the American Hemisphere. He has issued an Executive Order declaring Venezuela an extraordinary and unusual threat to the national security of the United States
How a nation that spends less than 1% of its GDP on military expenditures, has no latest state-of-the-art military weaponry, and an army of merely 120,000 can possibly threaten the security of the mighty United States, is entirely incomprehensible.
And yet, an invasion of Venezuela, before a theoretical possibility, after Obamas order has become a scenario with real probabilities. The Venezuelan government is not taking this threat lightly having seen what the greed for oil has done to Iraq, Libya, and Syria.
More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/04/03/why-is-the-us-so-frightened-of-venezuela/
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)They are not about to be invaded. Their people can't get basic supplies.
I think building up their military is about the last thing they need.
But I know you love the Chavistas, so keep on pretending this isn't their fault.
Little Tich
(6,171 posts)Venezuela is deteriorating. Maduro is crazy.
7962
(11,841 posts)They know that the train is fast running off the tracks and soon the people will rise up against their enslavers, so they want to be able to smash any uprising fast
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Because they have more shiny weapons toys than anybody, by far.
What are they so scared of, anyway?
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)that is why we give our police only the best.
Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)Is ANYONE attacking Venezuela, or likely to do so?
http://rt.com/business/211735-venezuela-foreign-reserves-diamonds/
The bank said in a statement issued Thursday it intends to use a broader range of assets to increase international reserves, it will also include freely convertible foreign currencies.
Venezuela may also use Chinese loans in yuan to bolster its international reserves. Finance Minister Rodolfo Marco traveled this week to China to discuss potential deals.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/11409933/Clashes-in-Venezuela-as-economic-shortages-continue-to-bite.html
Chakaconcarne
(2,462 posts)We tend to do that with Oil Rich Countries.
brooklynite
(94,727 posts)Care to name an invasion during the Obama Administration?
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)One administration hardly erases our history of aggression.
brooklynite
(94,727 posts)Provide any evidence that the Obama Administration is considering invading Venezuela.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)But the Obama administration is history in less than two years.
And the Obama interlude doesn't negate the history of US aggression in the region.
What are you going to do when President Rubio starts beating the war drums?
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Which he should be ashamed of doing. I'm sure his mother told him telling lies was wrong.
So, maybe, the Venezuelans have some reason for being a bit jumpy. Well, and that 2002 coup attempt. But that was so long ago it might as well be ancient history, right?
hack89
(39,171 posts)Last edited Fri Apr 3, 2015, 06:08 PM - Edit history (1)
Why would we want to invade and have to run that mess of a country?
7962
(11,841 posts)Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)You better tell the Pentagon.
7962
(11,841 posts)Ever heard of ISIS? Wait, we want the oil THEY'VE been selling, right?
former9thward
(32,077 posts)7962
(11,841 posts)EX500rider
(10,856 posts)....We tend to do that with Oil Rich Countries."
Both Canada and Mexico produce more oil then Venezuela.
So Canada and Mexico are in danger of a US invasion you think?
Zorra
(27,670 posts)for awhile.
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)Or the 7 million + that voted against him?
Keep dreaming your delusional dream.
Just FYI, "zorra" is not exactly something you'd like to be referred to in Venezuelan speech.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)B) ¡Hasta la Victoria Siempre!
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)As for Maduro and his combo, they themselves are digging their own graves. Of course, an ideologically blinded person who has never stepped foot in Venezuela, such as yourself, wouldn't know that.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)of Venezuela?
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)The only difference is that they use the guise of being "socialist" to fool the masses.
But one only need to take a good hard look at their bank accounts and you'd see they're nothing but.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)before Chavez became President?
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)But it was all through populist policies that would not work in the long-run because as you might imagine, the current government has become ideologically radicalized and insanely corrupt to the point that they're unwilling to implement policies that will restore national production to the pre-Chavez levels (which were better than what they are now.) However, the crime rate before Chavez was certainly not as bad as it is compared to now, so I guess that's one thing I'd like from the "good old days" to come back. But overall, no, I don't want the next government to be a repeat of the ones before Chavez, but I don't want it to be a repeat of Chavismo either, as time has shown its a regime that eventually heads down a spiral due to its militarily populist nature.
I want the next government to actually be a progressive one that actually takes into account the capacity that Venezuela has to be a true economic powerhouse in the region and actually does something about rampant corruption that, at this point, has robbed the Venezuelan people blindly from the oil income that should be used to improve the country's infrastructure and diversify its economy and improve national production and investment confidence, and doesn't focus so much on bullshit propaganda and doesn't blame all its internal problems on external agents, and which certainly doesn't care about buying unnecessary military hardware to fight off against an "enemy" that they so happily keep selling cheap oil to that will never invade it. I'd like to see a government more akin to Costa Rica's, where they don't focus so much on military-led populism and actually more on sustainability and progress. The way that Maduro is running the show now is a self-destructive path that is making the country less sustainable and leaving people even poorer in the long run. You probably don't think so because you blindly buy into the left-leaning propaganda bullshit, but I suggest instead that you take a trip to Venezuela and see the situation with your own eyes. God forbid you get robbed if someone notices you're carrying dollars with you.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)I travel like any other old campesino, and I'm not afraid, we're all going to die someday. I've been in some very bad places and situations.
I haven't been to Venezuela yet though; I was on my way there a few years ago but got sick near the Guatemala border and couldn't make it. I was planning to hang at El Payon, I've heard it's really beautiful. Maybe next year, but I definitely won't be visiting any cities in Venezuela, or anywhere else.
You make an awful lot of a assumptions and insults for a person living in Miami. It makes you appear young, and naive. Are you a college student? Judging from your last post, I can see you are at least not a complete provincial RW idiot. Are you from Chacao, by any chance, maybe El Rosal? I'm guessing you are a dedicated disciple of Leopoldo Lopez.
Just because you (purportedly) once lived in Venezuela doesn't mean you know jack shit about what is really going on there.
There are tens of millions of RWers in the US who don't have the slightest clue about what is going on in this country. Like you, they see only the effects, but never the real cause.
Do you think it is at all possible that global capitalists have been deliberately sabotaging Venezuela's economy? After all, it's a tough gig, being a lonely sovereign socialist nation with a lot of oil, resources, and people, that foreign capitalists desperately want to exploit for their own profit
http://struggle.ws/mexico/ezln/1997/jigsaw.html
The capitalists have already done enough damage to the economy of Venezuela that they will now raise oil prices again, and the economy of Venezuela may improve some, but the capitalists have done enough long term damage to the country that they will still get a RWer, someone like Capriles, Lopez, or Machado, and a maybe even RW majority elected to the AN in 2018 or whenever the next election is.
And once again, the rich will grow richer, and the poor will grow poorer, and Venezuela will grow more corrupt, just like Venezuela was before Chavez.
Buena suerte, joven.
Judi Lynn
(160,621 posts)We have too many total idiots right here who don't know anything whatsoever about their own country, any part of its REAL history, its people, or their political parties, and what they represent, and it's not getting better, either.
Bacchus4.0
(6,837 posts)Oil prices will depend on the market and won't be going up soon. Its bad for Venezuela since they put all their eggs in one basket and haven't saved or invested in a sustainable diverse economy.
They will likely raise gas prices within the country to increase revenue at some point. It really pains the government to do this because this is what the last socialist president did, Andres Perez, and led to extreme violence and began chavismo essentially. Paradoxically, a raise in gas prices would affect the wealthy and middle class most, not the poor, since they don't have cars.
Anyway, lets hope Venezuela returns to the prosperity pre-Chavez instead of the out of control, crime, corruption, $20/month minimum wage, food shortages, and inept government.
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)I seem to have read recently that Rafael Ramirez's cousin is among the chavistas who was caught money laundering in the Bank of Andorra. One only need to take a look at the kind of lifestyle and possessions that the top Chavista leaders have to see just how "socialist" they are.
denverbill
(11,489 posts)The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to restrict exports to Venezuela of certain items intended for a military end use or end user. These changes complement a pre-existing U.S. arms embargo against Venezuela in place since 2006 that was imposed because of Venezuelas failure to cooperate on counterterrorism initiatives.
As stated in the Federal Register notice announcing the new restrictions, since February 2014, the Venezuelan military has been cracking down on anti-government protests through direct violence against protesters and arbitrary detentions. Numerous deaths and injuries have ensued. By undermining democratic processes and institutions, Venezuelas government constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
......
Meanwhile in Egypt...
http://rt.com/usa/245737-us-lifts-egypt-embargo/
President Obama has lifted his arms embargo on Egypt, authorizing the deliveries of US weapons valued at over $1.3 billion, suspended after the 2013 military coup. Egyptian forces have been fighting Islamic militants in Yemen and Libya.
Among the weapons systems released are twelve F-16 aircraft, 20 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and 125 upgrade kits for US-made M1A1 Abrams tanks in Egyptian service. The executive hold on weapons deliveries was imposed after the military overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood government of President Mohamed Morsi in October 2013. Egypt is the second-largest recipient of US military aid in the world. ...
------------------
Egypt's government is undeniably in place due to a coup. Venezuela's is democratically elected, as verified by virtually every monitor. Egypt has killed thousands and jailed at least that many. Venezuela has 'killed' maybe a hundred, but many of those deaths are of police or are actually caused by protestors.
So why are we embargoing Venezuela and selling arms to Egypt? Venezuela is a helluva lot more democratic and less repressive than Egypt. Would Egypt allow the Muslim Brotherhood to run non-stop propaganda on national television? Venezuela has Fox News equivalents that do just that. Egypt jails journalists.
Venezuela's only mistake was nationalizing the oil companies. That makes them 'undemocratic', in the eyes of the oligarchs.
Scrabbleddie
(67 posts)The purpose of empire is to secure resources and wealth.
These constant attacks on democracy are troubling.
EX500rider
(10,856 posts)You mean back in the '70's? 'Cause that's when they nationalized their oil. Like practically every other oil producing country.
"According to consulting firm PFC Energy, only 7% of the world's estimated oil and gas reserves are in countries that allow private international companies free rein. Fully 65% are in the hands of state-owned companies."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalization_of_oil_supplies
Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)They would likely score a kick ass deal by buying in bulk.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)people, tried to give them government health care...the folly? I am a proud American but I am ashamed at the level of poverty we have right here, right now. And our War/Defense Budget? And our nuclear stockpile? And our being the only nation to ever use it? And...and...and.
Just keep it in perspective please.
BluegrassDem
(1,693 posts)like Argentina and the Falklands? Of course, Aruba is a part of The Netherlands, which would then invite a NATO response.
ripcord
(5,537 posts)Is to bring people together to battle an exterior enemy.
FLPanhandle
(7,107 posts)Those loans weren't given with just a promise to pay it back one day.
olddad56
(5,732 posts)Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Here's another thread on the region that dying for comments:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141058409
Please weigh in. This one involves actual US soldiers.
Judi Lynn
(160,621 posts)and counted them as dead "enemy" Colombians. Happened constantly for years. They were able to get vacations, etc. for their dead bodies of Colombians who were actually farmers, or students, or whoever was available to kill.
We heard ABSOLUTELY NADA from our right-wingers on this story. Not one ####ing peep. What's more, they undoubtedly favor the idea of killing all those Colombian people as part of the country's war on the poor and the indigenous and the African-Colombians who've had the nerve to live on land the multinational corporations want.
Not one peep, not even once, in all these ####ing years.
You hit it right on the head.
ronnie624
(5,764 posts)especially in the coming years and decades. There are dangerous predators lurking.
FLPanhandle
(7,107 posts)They could spend their entire income on defense and last maybe 2 weeks fighting the US or other major power. Their military is more likely to be used against thier own people.
pampango
(24,692 posts)Since the big neighbor can overwhelm them militarily no matter how many weapons they buy, money spent on arms rather than social needs is money wasted.
Larry Engels
(387 posts)Venezuela would be crazy not to beef up their military.
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)Please do try to use your reasoning.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Hhhmm, maybe Maduro is trying to buy his military's loyalty with shiny new toys.
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)And it baffles me that some think that others believe that the world, or even Latin America, would simply allow the US to openly invade Venezuela. Might've worked with Iraq since it had the precedent of being ruled by a dictator that the U.S. already went to war with a decade earlier. But there's no precedent for that at all in Venezuela. If Maduro was as anti-imperialist as he claims to be, he'd stop selling oil altogether to the U.S., which is essentially the same as aiding your enemy.
Larry Engels
(387 posts)Nothing.
MADem
(135,425 posts)BORROWED from China?
Idiots. Or, more to the point--IDIOT, since Maduro has been given extraordinary powers. He's driving the bus of state off a cliff.
Of course, he needs a lot of those arms in case he needs to suppress the dangerous university students with their roadblocks, burning tires and 2 litre bottle home-made gas masks....
betterdemsonly
(1,967 posts)than most of the world governments should be overthrown, including our own. Same goes for the existence of protesting students.
MADem
(135,425 posts)betterdemsonly
(1,967 posts)as did FDR.
MADem
(135,425 posts)betterdemsonly
(1,967 posts)It was stolen by the rich and by foreign investers, particularly Americans Bankers and the Saudies. He is trying to preserve it, for the average Venezuelan. Just admit you want to replace him with a Pinochet type.
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)That money sure as hell didn't get stolen by foreign entities. The ones who've always controlled the oil income, especially after 2002, has always been the Chavista government. If there's anyone that's stolen the Venezuelan people's money and left the country broke, it's the chavista leadership.
betterdemsonly
(1,967 posts)rates up until recently when the Saudis dropped the price of oil. You admitted that up thread.
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)In fact, what they've done is actually ruin national production levels of all kinds of products, especially thanks to that heinous currency control system that no other LatAm country has. Most of them are all doing pretty well now and improving even without a fraction of the oil reserves that Venezuela has thanks mostly to actually managing their economies in the way that anyone with even just some knowledge of economics 101 would, allowing for industries to have access to the dollars they need, and not expropriating private-sector businesses that were doing well and replacing their management with inexperienced and corrupt fanatical military assholes. Tell me again, why aren't any other countries in the region implementing the Chavista model?
Judi Lynn
(160,621 posts)Where were you in primary school?
Venezuela Timeline, BBC:
. . .
. . .
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1229348.stm
Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,621 posts)EX500rider
(10,856 posts)Any examples of "American banker/foreign investors" stealing from Venezuela?
And the price of oil dropping is not anybody "stealing from Venezuela"
It's a common occurrence in all commodities to have price fluctuation.
What IS stealing from Venezuelans is the 60%+ inflation cause by stupid price & monetary controls.
delrem
(9,688 posts)I, too, hope to see Venezuela prosper, so as to purchase even more Russian and Chinese arms!
There's kind of a satisfaction to it.
betterdemsonly
(1,967 posts)Last edited Mon Apr 6, 2015, 11:22 AM - Edit history (1)
you neocons are planning another coup against their democratically elected government. The logic that not finding toilet paper in a flop hotel, means the government should be overthown is a dead givaway.
Judi Lynn
(160,621 posts)JonLP24
(29,322 posts)while they're trafficking arms more than anybody.
US confirms $60bn Saudi arms deal
Largest ever US arms sale includes 84 Boeing F-15 fighter jets and more than 100 attack helicopters.
he United States plans to sell up to $60bn worth of military aircraft to Saudi Arabia, the US state department has announced, the largest US arms sale ever.
Andrew Shapiro, the assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, told a news conference on Wednesday that the US administration did not anticipate any objections to the sale from Israel, traditionally wary of arms sales to nearby Arab countries.
The sale, which had been expected, includes 84 Boeing F-15 fighter jets and 70 upgrades of existing Saudi F-15s.
It also includes 70 of Boeing's Apache attack helicopters and 36 AH-6M Little Birds, lightweight helicopters often used in special operations.
Under the deal, Saudi Arabia also has the option to buy 72 Black Hawk helicopters built by Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2010/10/20101020173353178622.html
Consider both of those 2 countries are in the top 3 at-the-very least top 5 in largest proven oil reserves in the world. It bothers me but it doesn't bother me because its Venezuela when everyone is doing this.
betterdemsonly
(1,967 posts)often resell those weapons to Isis, Boko Harem and Al Shabaab.
EX500rider
(10,856 posts)Any links of the Saudi government reselling arms to their enemies?
GGJohn
(9,951 posts)Larry Engels
(387 posts)This happens every time Venezuela is mentioned on this site. As always, the Hubert Humphrey style red-bating liberals come out from under their rocks and attack anyone that calls himself a socialist. They have a lot in common with Freepers. In fact, I wonder why they don't go over there and post with their political allies.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)don't know how they pay for russias guns? Russia doesn't need the cheap crude, maybe they pay with drugs and meat.
Judi Lynn
(160,621 posts)Venezuela slashes military budget by 34%
Saturday, May 2, 2015
A new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute found Venezuela cut its military budget by 34% last year, leading the region in arms spending cuts.
In contrast, United States political allies Paraguay and Mexico led the region in upping military spending, raising military budgets by 13% and 11%, respectively.
The Americas remains the region with the highest military spending, a fact largely attributable to the US. With an annual military budget of US$610 billion, the US accounts for one-third of global spending, amounting to more than triple the budget of the second highest spender, China.
More:
https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/58911
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)hughee99
(16,113 posts)you better make sure your military is well armed.