US looks to sell arms in Gulf to try to contain Iran

[YankeyMCC]

Source: Boston Globe

(snip)
WASHINGTON -- The State Department and the Pentagon are quietly seeking congressional approval for significant new military sales to US allies in the Persian Gulf region. The move is part of a broader American strategy to contain Iranian influence by strengthening Iran's neighbors and signaling that the United States is still a strong military player in the Middle East, despite all the difficulties in Iraq.

But the arms sales, which would come on top of a recent upgrade of US Patriot antimissile interceptors in Qatar and Kuwait and the deployment of two aircraft carriers to the Gulf, could spark concerns that further military buildup in the volatile region would bring Washington closer to a confrontation with Iran.
(snip)

(snip)
The arms sales are a Cold War-style geopolitical maneuver designed to isolate Iran by arming its neighbors against a perceived common threat.

"We should look at this in the broader context of what Secretary Rice calls the looming confrontation between extremists and moderates," Stephen D. Mull , the State Department's acting assistant secretary of political-military affairs, said in an interview. "We are on record as saying Syria and Iran sponsor these forces."

The move could be an economic boon for New England, which manufactures some of the weapons systems that are believed to be under consideration for sale.

The current arms sale proposals grew out of a diplomatic effort launched last May called the "Gulf Security Dialogue," in which US officials sought to suggest ways to bolster the defenses of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman.
(snip)

My comment: Why do I picture this 'diplomatic effort' that these proposed sales 'grew' out of like a scene from a mob movie with some thug who stired up neighborhood trouble in the first place strong arming a mark into buying protection.




Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/03/21/us_looks_to_sell_arms_in_gulf_to_try_to_contain_iran/

[tavalon]

1. Wow, that's always worked out well before

Not!

[youngdem]

2. Good Idea....I think I'm gonna burn down my house as a preventative termite treatment

:banghead:

[rfranklin]

3. Hey, we have to sell those armaments somewhere....

it's a big part of our economy. And one of the few industries we have left that are thriving.

[SpiralHawk]

4. "Buy now. Smirk, Smirk, Smirk." - Dickie 'Five Deferments' Cheney

"Support your republicon crony War Profiteer." - Dickie 'Five Deferments' Cheney

[tecelote]

5. Profit - at all costs!

Administration Mantra.

[Kelvin Mace]

6. Oh yeah, that's just what the region needs

more guns.

That'll make it safe.

[LynnTheDem]

7. Contra. Yes, the standard US MO. Works so well.

:eyes:

[depakid]

8. Ironic, isn't it?

These people NEVER learn.

We sold advanced arms to Iran to contain the Soviet Union (and provided arms and training to what became the Taliban for the same reason).

Then we sold arms to Iraq to contain Iran!

Does anyone see a pattern here?