US to Arab Spring: **** You

[Direckshun]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/38eb21ee-9...#axzz1uzn9UKsN

US arms sales to Bahrain to resume
By Geoff Dyer in Washington
May 12, 2012 12:09 am

The US is to resume selling arms to Bahrain a little more than a year after a harsh crackdown on anti-government protesters and despite continued claims of human rights abuses in the Gulf kingdom, which is a key US ally.

The Obama administration said that the arms sales, which Congress has been notified about, would include upgrades for Bahrain’s defence force, but would not involve weapons that could be used against demonstrators.

The decision to restart arms sales was the result of “national security interests”, said Victoria Nuland, state department spokeswoman. It follows a visit to Washington this week by Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s crown prince, who met with Hillary Clinton, secretary of state, and Leon Panetta, defence secretary.

Home to the US 5th fleet, Bahrain has been a key partner of the US in the Gulf for more than 60 years and the military facilities in the country are a central plank in the Pentagon’s efforts to deter Iran.

Other US allies in the region, notably Saudi Arabia, have also put pressure on Washington to maintain its support for Bahrain’s ruling Sunni Muslim royal family, which has faced widespread unrest among the majority Shia Muslim population.

However, the administration came under heavy pressure to scale back its ties last March after Manama declared a state of emergency in response to protests following the entry of Saudi and Emirati troops. In October, $53m in planned arms sales were put on hold pending an investigation of alleged human rights abuses.

A senior state department official said that the new arms sales would help boost the country’s external defences and would include air-to-air missiles, components for F-16 fighter jets and potentially a naval frigate. However, they would not include Humvees, stun grenades or tear gas.

“We are mindful of the continued human rights issues,” said a senior official. “Right now they are at an impasse and the violence is a result of that.”

In a speech last November, Hillary Clinton reflected on the conflicts of interest thrown up by the Arab Spring, particularly in Bahrain. It was fair for people to ask “why does America promote democracy one way in some countries and another way in others?” But she said that each country in the region was different and the administration needed to weigh the risk to US forces, the potential threat from al-Qaeda and the need to keep oil supplies flowing. “It would be foolish to take a one-size-fits-all approach and barrel forward regardless of circumstances on the ground,” she said.

As tensions with Iran have escalated in recent years, the US has been keen to use arms sales to boost the military capabilities of its allies in the region, most notably the $60bn deal with Saudi Arabia which was announced in 2010.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Donger

It may be a less bitter pill, but you still don't have to swallow ANY pill. If you chose to swallow the less bitter pill, you are complicit. Period.

I'm pretty sure I'm complicit no matter what. I'm a cognitively functional US citizen. Refusing to vote empowers the military industrial complex, as limiting the complex is one of the factors that determines my vote.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I'm pretty sure I'm complicit no matter what. I'm a cognitively functional US citizen. Refusing to vote empowers the military industrial complex, as limiting the complex is one of the factors that determines my vote.

Well, since you already voted for Obama and his hatred of the freedom-fighting Bahrainis, you are already complicit. I suppose it's up to you whether or not you'll continue your continued support of such monsters of freedom.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Donger

Well, since you already voted for Obama and his hatred of the freedom-fighting Bahrainis, you are already complicit. I suppose it's up to you whether or not you'll continue your continued support of such monsters of freedom.

Since you just ignored the point I made in my previous post, I'll just refer to it.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

The people across the Middle East haven't been rising up against the ruling class because the ruling class isn't "radical" enough. They've been rising up against them because their lives are shit and the government isn't doing shit about it, and in many cases making it worse. With, of course, some Islamist elements trying to pounce on the opportunity, which one can't ignore.

That's the whole dynamic of the Spring, though. Look up social contract theory, the guiding principle of the Declaration of Independence. The purity at the heart and soul of that was driving the Spring. And in many places, still is.

With moves like this, the US is just further entrenching itself in the "we don't care as long as we get to make money" -- if we're willing to make money off antidemocratic dictators killing their people in the streets, then we're empty suits.

The average guy living in the Middle East is a primitive savage who is deluded by oppressive religion and lives in a sea of ignorance.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Since you just ignored the point I made in my previous post, I'll just refer to it.

Whatever helps you sleep at night, honey. I hope you enjoy your blood vote next time.

[ForeverChiefs58]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Thanks, Taco John. But I don't really have a choice in that regard. Romney and Obama are a push on that score, hell Romney might even be more aggressive in aiding and abetting the military industrial complex. Republicans usually are, and Romney has provided little rhetoric to suggest he'd be any different.

So long as the Democratic pill is less bitter, that's the one I'm selecting.

You can't make the same conection with your own freaking country? Maybe the US feels the same way with certain regimes. More friendly with the US is a lot less bitter.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Donger

Whatever helps you sleep at night, honey. I hope you enjoy your blood vote next time.

You're just saying the same thing over and over.

Refer to post #46, again.

[La literatura]

Originally Posted by Donger

Are you aware that you aren't required to vote? Surely that would be more palatable to your sensitive tongue.

This is poor advice.

[ForeverChiefs58]

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

The average guy living in the Middle East is a primitive savage who is deluded by oppressive religion and lives in a sea of ignorance.

This is very true.

[La literatura]

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

The average guy living in the Middle of America is a primitive savage who is deluded by oppressive religion and lives in a sea of ignorance.

fyp /East Coast liberal

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

You're just saying the same thing over and over.

Refer to post #46, again.

Post 46 doesn't make any sense. Obama seems to be a part of the evil military industrial complex, doesn't he? If not, why would he allow this sale?

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Literature

This is poor advice.

Why? At least Direckshun could sleep at night knowing that she didn't vote for a guy who supplied arms to freedom-loving Bahrainis.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Donger

Post 46 doesn't make any sense. Obama seems to be a part of the evil military industrial complex, doesn't he? If not, why would he allow this sale?

Different shades of black, I'm afraid.

When both parties of a two party system are all in on something I regard as faulty and destructive, I gotta hold my nose. S'how it works.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Different shades of black, I'm afraid.

When both parties of a two party system are all in on something I regard as faulty and destructive, I gotta hold my nose. S'how it works.

You could hold you nose and not be complicit, but I understand why you choose not to. I suppose your outrage only goes so far.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Donger

You could hold you nose and not be complicit, but I understand why you choose not to. I suppose your outrage only goes so far.

You're saying the same thing over and over again.

Post 46.