U.S. Fast-Tracks Arms Deals Valued at $8.6 Billion to Mideast Partners
The Persian Gulf countries and Israel have faced repeated Iranian attacks during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The State Department move bypassed congressional review.
Arms Trade
Trump Lands in Saudi Arabia, Kicking Off Tour of Gulf States
President Trump, who will also go to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, has told advisers that he wants to sign deals worth more than $1 trillion on the trip.
Trump proposes a trillion-dollar defense budget.
The new sum was a 13% increase from the 2025 fiscal year, the White House said.
Flow of U.S. Weapons to Ukraine Has Nearly Stopped and May End Completely
The Biden administration saw the $67 billion in military assistance it provided to Kyiv as essential. Trump sees any further aid as leverage.
U.S. Halt to Foreign Aid Does Not Apply to Arms to Israel and Egypt
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s orders could force many groups working on global aid to stop their programs. And the White House has approved sending more 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.
U.S. Saw an Opportunity While It Pushed to Arm Ukraine
The White House seized a rare chance to undermine Russia and build up regional allies as it built a coalition to support the Ukrainians.
State Dept. Tells Congress It Plans to Send $8 Billion in Arms to Israel
The arms transfer could be the final one the Biden administration provides to Israel. President Biden has largely ignored critics of Israel’s war in Gaza who have urged a halt to weapons aid.