Some thoughts on #UAE #Saudi arms freeze:
1) Note caveated language that arms suspension is tied to offensive weapons used in Yemen, not more broadly. This is much narrower than what @joebiden promised, which was a complete ban on arms sales to Saudi wsj.com/articles/biden…
1) Note caveated language that arms suspension is tied to offensive weapons used in Yemen, not more broadly. This is much narrower than what @joebiden promised, which was a complete ban on arms sales to Saudi wsj.com/articles/biden…
2) This is now coupled w reassurances that US will continue to assist "security partners" (UAE/Saudi - what an oxymoron) in their defense, coming at same time as US ramps up troops and access in Saudi. Pre-sweetener for Iran deal?
3) Ending war in Yemen, however, is only one part of Saudi UAE abuses in region and domestically. UAE continues to illegally transport arms and indiscriminately bomb Libya, for example. A ban on offensive weapons used in Yemen won't address this
Domestic abuses, including jailing and torture of activists, abduction of princesses in UAE; rampant death penalty in Saudi; abuse, trafficking and enslavement of migrant workers; and all around tyrannical rule necessary for their survival persist. Really "insecure" partners
5) This is to say nothing about murder of #JamalKhashoggi which is what triggered @JoeBiden & Congressional efforts to end arms sales to Saudi. (Sadly war crimes in yemen were not enough). But still no accountability for his murder, not even disclosure of what MBS did to his body
6) For a ban on arms sales to matter, they have to be complete. For the US to stop aiding Saudi UAE abuses at home and in region, arms sales & diplomatic protection must end. Temporary freezes that are bartered away will not add up to anything. Recall Obama's little freeze?
7) If the US does not want to be entangled and exposed as culprits in Saudi UAE misdeeds and machinations, it needs to stop entangling itself in their misdeeds and machinations. Arms sales, troop protection, diplomatic cover entangle us.
Biden & Blinken have an opportunity, as Obama did, but wasted, to reform US approach to MidEast, keeping us locked into a terrible pattern of disastrous conflicts and crimes for decades, hurting millions.
Piecemeal arms freezes, piecemeal settlement freezes won't achieve change
Piecemeal arms freezes, piecemeal settlement freezes won't achieve change
9) Advocates & analysts should be wary of mistaking such freezes as "success". We have a duty to call out failed approaches of past. We have a role in putting the bar where it should be: ending US harm in region, ending US entanglements that don't serve anyone worth serving.
10) Those on outside contribute to the same failed patterns when we advocate piecemeal conditionality (which never works), a tweak to sanctions here, a nip in US forces there, saving homes from demolition (nowhere). It's endless whack a mole, we always lose, greater harms persist
11) Let the politicians make their deals. Those on the outside making recommendations should not be advocating deals for them. Start with principle: stop US harm in the region; stop arming and supporting abusive governments; stop using them to try to dominate and control region
12) Let's not confuse this w/ being cop or "leader" (aka boss) of the region or world. Our role is not to force democracy or rights, or topple govts (on false pretexts to boot).
Our duty is, however, to stop blocking democracy & rights, which is what we're doing now in MidEast.
Our duty is, however, to stop blocking democracy & rights, which is what we're doing now in MidEast.
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