Untangling At Last: Policymakers Take Aim at Ending Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has a big problem on its hands this week. Despite funnelingsignificant resources into lobbying efforts and U.S. congressional campaigns, the kingdom has found itself in a pickle that it cannot seem to easily extricate itself from: the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi.  For years, Saudi Arabia ’s war in Yemen has drawn significant criticism for their strategy and tactics. The naval blockade has their smaller neighborgrappling with a devastating famine and a dearth of medical supplies and humanitarian aid. The Saudi ’s air campaign has also proven deeply problematic—either from their poor aim or amoral choice of target. International critiques seemed to reach a crescendo last month after the Saudi ’s mistakenlybombed a school bus full of children—killing 26 and injuring 19 Yemeni kids. European nations issued statements that they would halt weapons shipments to the kingdom for the foreseeable future due to the incident, but many of those nations (includingSpain andGermany) did an abrupt U-turn later in the month and proceeded with the sales.  Some American policymakers have also tried to halt weapons sales to the nation over the past two years. There have been two outright votes on the matter led by bipartisan, bicameral coalitions —both votesnarrowly defeated. Saudi Arabia ’s role in Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance has created a pivotal moment for the effort led by some in Congress to untangle the United States from Saudi crimes. Make no mistak...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs