Who benefits from unconditional U.S. arms to Saudi Arabia? Experts caution that the U.S. approach to the Yemen war has given AQAP weapons flows, military support, and fodder for extremism, while emboldening Iran by driving rebel factions under Iranian control.
The Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops penned a powerful letter to Congress on Yemen. He insists that, “Rather than exacerbating the conflict through U.S. military intervention and involvement, the United States should work with regional and international partners to bring a peaceful end to Yemen’s civil war and to provide humanitarian relief to counter the desperation that feeds extremism.”
On June 1, President Trump announced his decision to withdraw the United Stated from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Paris Agreement.
Forum on the Arms Trade outlines the sale and efforts to block it, including a comprehensive compilation of key resources on this sale and the situation in Yemen.
Sanctions experts at the Arms Control Association explain the risk to the Iran deal posed by new Iran sanctions legislation S. 722. The ACA explains, “If this bill becomes law, it could threaten the ongoing implementation of the nuclear deal, which is successfully blocking Iran’s pathways to nuclear weapons.”
This NIAC fact sheet explains how the Iran sanctions bill S. 722 could constitute a clear violation of the Iran nuclear deal, would take steps opposed by the U.S. defense and intelligence establishment, and is unlikely to achieve its objectives.
This J Street resource on Iran sanctions bill S. 722 cites diplomacy and national security experts who oppose the most dangerous provisions of the bill. Experts explain why they oppose the broad and mandatory sanctions (Section 4), the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization (Section 5), and interference with Iran deal transition day obligations (Section 8).
Representative Mark Pocan writes that U.S. arms sales to and military collaboration with Saudi Arabia are giving Saudi Arabia the green light to continue bombing and starving the Yemeni people. Rep. Pocan assures that “members of Congress will act swiftly, using every tool at our disposal — from blocking weapons shipments to forcing a debate and vote on U.S. military involvement in Yemen — to end this incomprehensible tragedy.”
While Congress considers new money for the Pentagon, we have some suggestions for cutting back.
Senators Ben Cardin, Todd Young, Thom Tillis, and their colleagues, and Representatives Ann Wagner, Joe Crowley, and their colleagues have introduced the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act in the Senate and House of Representatives (S.1158, H.R.3030, respectively). The bills:
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