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US to Arab Spring: **** You
![]() 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. |
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#121 | |
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#122 |
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Swing and a miss.
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#124 | |
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#125 | |
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The world is not our playground, I agree. We should not involve ourselves in it, but that is not US foreign policy. Do these protesters truly want democracy or do they want a change at the highest levels of government? Replacing a dictator with a leader you prefer more who might not be better is not always the answer. These people and culture have NEVER known democracy what makes you think they want that and not just a regime change? Egypt might be the litmus test for what is to come. A dictator was replaced, now will he be replaced with a better and more tolerant government? Time will tell. Whether it is in our best interest or not to entrench dictators in the ME remains to be seen. |
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#126 | ||
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I'd respond more comprehensively but basically my post would read exactly like post 8 in this thread. Egypt, I should mention, has yet to attain a democracy. They are now ruled by a military dictatorship. |
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Seriously. Why torture yourself agonizing over moral issues when you fully intend to do nothing but support the status quo? Spare me your bleeding heart bullshit and your condescending tone. I'm not the I've apologizing to people as I slit their throats.
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No, more like an Obama-approved artillery shell hitting the Bahrani bulls eye.
I do hope things have improved in your personal life, however.
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All your base are belong to us now take your burqa wearing ass into the hovel and chop me some goat gristle.
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#132 |
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Because all roads don't lead to Obama -- they lead to the military industrial complex, which have Obama's nuts in a vice. Just like they do with every other President in modern history. If you think President McCain would be acting any differently right now, you're naive.
I believe you think it is necessarily a bad thing for a dictator to be killing peaceful democratic protesters. Yet I'm pretty sure you'll be pulling levers for Republican Presidential candidates for the conceivable future despite the fact that they are going to be supporting a dictator doing exactly that. |
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I appreciate that, thank you. |
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You're welcome.
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