July 12, 2022
U.S. Claims It Only Sells “Defensive” Weapons to Saudi Arabia, but Does This Distinction Even Exist?
The Biden administration is reportedly deliberating the possibility of lifting its ban on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.
But policy experts say the move would have “little meaning,” as Washington has made no distinction between “offensive” and “defensive” arms deals and over the past year has continued to increase the sale of weapons to the kingdom.
“I have not seen any clear definition of ‘offensive’ vs ‘defensive’ weapons, and State officials told us there is not a documented definition,” Jason Blair, director of international affairs and trade at the Government Accountability Office, told Middle East Eye.
Soon after entering office in 2021, Biden announced an end to US support for offensive operations in the Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s war efforts against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, following the documented use of American-made weapons that kill civilians.
As well as the major humanitarian catastrophe caused by the war.
However, more than a year later, rights advocates, experts, and lawmakers have all raised questions about the nature of “defensive” versus “offensive” weaponry.
“My understanding is that the Pentagon and State Department have never had clear definitions of what was an ‘offensive’ vs ‘defensive’ weapon, and largely took Saudi Arabia’s word for what purposes weapons would serve,” Lindsay Koshgarian, programme director of the National Priorities Project, told Middle East Eye.
Meanwhile, arms sales to the kingdom continued, with the US approving a $650 million sale to Saudi Arabia late last year.
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