The Biden administration has put a temporary hold on several major foreign arms sales initiated by former President Donald Trump, including a massive $23 billion transfer of stealth F-35 fighters to the United Arab Emirates. Here is a collection of tweets about this decision.
The Biden administration has imposed a temporary freeze on U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as it reviews billions of dollars in weapons transactions approved by former President Donald Trump https://t.co/3lbqlXSXDV
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 27, 2021
Blinken says F-35 sales review to UAE is "typical", reiterates that Biden admin supports Abraham Accords between UAE & Israel that allowed this sale. (no news)
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 27, 2021
2/ I encourage the Biden Administration to carefully consider the broader regional security implications of these sales and to consult with Congress as it continues its due diligence on these and other arms sales.
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) January 27, 2021
Biden freezes military sales to UAE and Saudi. Hard to imagine F-35s to UAE not being approved. Sales to Saudi another matter. MBS — say hello to conditionality. And it’s about time. https://t.co/2Tibal8hGX
— Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) January 27, 2021
“Welcoming joint efforts to de-escalate tensions and for renewed regional dialogue, the UAE will work closely with the Biden Administration on a comprehensive approach to Middle East peace and stability. (2/7)
— UAE Embassy US (@UAEEmbassyUS) January 27, 2021
“Like the US, it allows the UAE to maintain a strong deterrent to aggression. In parallel with new dialogue and security cooperation, it helps to reassure regional partners. (4/7)
— UAE Embassy US (@UAEEmbassyUS) January 27, 2021
“The UAE has always fought alongside the US. And through hundreds of joint missions and participation in six US-led Coalition efforts, we have learned that the key to military coordination is interoperability. (6/7)
— UAE Embassy US (@UAEEmbassyUS) January 27, 2021
“With the same equipment and training, US and UAE forces are more effective together when and where it matters.” (7/7)
— UAE Embassy US (@UAEEmbassyUS) January 27, 2021
Former Trump administration official involved in the Abraham Accords tells me the freeze is "a vote of confidence in Iran and a vote of dismay to our allies who proactively made peace. It’s a slap in the face. Every bad message you could possibly send – this is it."
— Lahav Harkov (@LahavHarkov) January 27, 2021
interoperable, and more capable security partners.
— Lahav Harkov (@LahavHarkov) January 27, 2021
The official did not answer my question if it's just UAE and Saudi or if other sales are being frozen. 2/2
If the Biden administration indeed suspends the F35 sale to the #UAE, #France will be very close to another contract for its #Rafales. This time it will be a huge one, involving (for the first time) the F4 version of the fighter (Emirati interest was expressed earlier this month) pic.twitter.com/rm2Or2UOlb
— Georgios Zagkas (@GZagkas) January 28, 2021
I agree. The UAE Israel deal is not about F35’s, it’s about peace making. But what this shows is how much can the middle east trust the US?! It only erodes Middle Eastern confidence in the US (but the upside is greater regional collaboration amongst the moderates) https://t.co/5EVItI1idv
— Ghanem Nuseibeh (@gnuseibeh) January 27, 2021
Don't need to be fan UAE or Saudi to understand imp of shoring up a coalescing pro-American bloc in Mid East. While, I recognize the moral argument, regional alternatives are not any less authoritarian/adventurous. Tough choices.
— Firas Maksad (@FirasMaksad) January 28, 2021
I make my argument here:https://t.co/Uh11SBVRlT
Team Biden, who I support, might feel need to start with concession to progressive Dems & shot @ Gulf allies, but consider geopolitics, return of Russia/rise of China. Engage allies before adversaries. Success more likely workin with them, not despite themhttps://t.co/ROTIe3Hsfr
— Firas Maksad (@FirasMaksad) January 28, 2021
As projected in #TheChoice in Sept & in my Arab media intervs, the #Biden (Obama3) Adm is putting pressure on the #ArabCoalition. As I argued, the foreign policy team will welcome the #AbrahamAccord but will deal with Arab Govs "separately"🤨
— Walid Phares (@WalidPhares) January 27, 2021
Freeze on F35 to UAE, ammo to Saudi. https://t.co/FpuJFTp4Gc
This is @POTUS’s first unwise FP decision, since his inauguration.
— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 27, 2021
To put hold on F-35s sale to #UAE is an indirect sabotage of the #AbrahamAccords with #Israel.
Shame … Shame.. Shame…
https://t.co/YIbQcg5GOQ
Credit to @POTUS and @SecBlinken, Arabs are losing faith in peace. If the US continues with such approach, many youth will think Iran’s terror approach is what the US leadership prefers. https://t.co/xlJGu6WUOg
— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 28, 2021
Nervana 