U.S. Congress Wants US Military Forces And Support Withdrawn From Saudi Arabia And The UAE After Yesterday's OPEC+ Oil Production Cuts

OPEC+ on Wednesday announced an agreement to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day [File: Ramzi Boudina/Reuters]  

The Hill: House Democrats propose end to US troop protection in Gulf after OPEC cut 

Three House Democrats have introduced legislation to end U.S. troop protection in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in response to news this week that OPEC and its allies will slash oil production. 

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which together comprise about 30 percent of global crude oil reserves, have some 5,000 U.S. troops stationed there. 

In addition to removing those troops and American missile defense systems from the two countries, the legislation introduced by Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) and Susan Wild (D-Pa.) would move all U.S. technology and defense systems elsewhere in the region. 

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U.S. Congress Wants US Military Forces And Support Withdrawn From Saudi Arabia And The UAE After Yesterday's OPEC+ Oil Production Cuts 

Democrats’ bill would pull US troops from Saudi, UAE over OPEC+ cuts -- NYPost  

House Dems introducing GOP-inspired bill to strip defenses from Saudi Arabia, UAE following OPEC oil cut -- FOX News  

Democrats Propose Pulling Troops From Saudi Arabia as Revenge for OPEC Move -- Newsweek  

GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley calls for OPEC collusion crackdown after production cut -- CNN  

Time for U.S. to reevaluate Saudi relationship, Sen. Chris Murphy says ahead of OPEC output cut -- CNBC  

US Democrats rally against Saudi Arabia, UAE after oil cuts -- Al Jazeera  

Durbin calls for US to ‘imagine a world without’ Saudi alliance -- The Hill  

Which side are they on? Our Saudi friends cannot have it both ways on oil politics -- Fortune

White House Faces Oil Standoff With Saudi Arabia And UAE

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and his UAE counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Photograph: WAM/Reuters  

The Guardian: White House faces oil standoff with Saudi Arabia and UAE as prices soar  

Analysis: Disputes with Biden administration mean Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are likely to drive hard bargain 

Joe Biden’s hardline stance on Russia has won him widespread plaudits, but with the most serious oil shock in decades now a reality, the US president’s attempt to cushion the blowback continues to meet resistance from the two allies he needs most.

Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman, and his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed, are yet to agree to a phone call with the west’s most powerful man – a scenario all but unthinkable during previous administrations.  

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WNU Editor: They want President Biden to change his policy on Yemen .... Crown princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi 'refuse to work to bring down oil prices unless Joe Biden backs them in Yemen': Venezuela releases two US hostages in a sign of a thawing of relations amid rocketing gas prices (Daily Mail).

Saudi Arabia and UAE Leaders Have Declined Calls With President Biden

The Guardian: Saudi Arabia and UAE leaders ‘decline calls with Biden’ amid fears of oil price spike 

The Gulf nations have capacity to pump more oil to ease supply fears but relations with the US have chilled under Biden 

The de-facto leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have declined to arrange calls with US president Joe Biden in recent weeks as the US and it allies have sought to contain a surge in energy prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, citing Middle East and US officials, both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the UAE’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan have been unavailable to Biden after US requests were made for discussions. 

“There was some expectation of a phone call, but it didn’t happen,“ a US official said of a plan for Saudi Prince Mohammed and Biden to speak. “It was part of turning on the spigot [of Saudi oil].”  

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WNU Editor: I am not surprised that Saudi Arabia and the UAE do not want to talk to President Biden. The U.S. President burned his relationship with both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the UAE’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan earlier last year. 

Bottom line. 

These Arab countries are not going to listen to the US President to boost oil production. Especially with the huge profits that they are making now. 

 Saudi Arabia and UAE Leaders Have Declined Calls With President Biden  

Saudi, Emirati leaders decline calls with Biden during Ukraine crisis -- Caasiada/WSJ 

Saudi, UAE leaders declined calls with Biden amid Ukraine conflict: report -- The Hill  

Saudi, UAE leaders ignore Biden when he calls to talk gas prices: report -- NYPost

Saudis, UAE Refuse To Take Biden's Calls To Discuss Ukraine Situation, Talk To Putin Instead -- Zero Hedge

U.S. Sending Warship And Fighter Jets To Assist UAE From Missile And Drone Attacks By Yemen's Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels

 

Reuters: U.S. to send fighter jets to assist UAE after Houthi attacks 

DUBAI (Reuters) - The United States said it is sending fighter jets to assist the United Arab Emirates following missile attacks on the Gulf state launched by Yemen's Houthi movement, including a foiled attack aimed at a base hosting U.S. forces. 

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also told Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a telephone call on Tuesday that Washington would send the guided missile destroyer the USS Cole to partner with the UAE navy ahead of a port call in Abu Dhabi. 

"The Secretary also informed the Crown Prince of his decision to deploy 5th Generation Fighter aircraft to assist the UAE against the current threat and as a clear signal that the United States stands with the UAE as a long-standing strategic partner," the U.S. Defense Department said in a release. 

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WNU Editor: What a difference one year makes. It was only last year that the Biden administration, against the advice of everyone, lifted the terror designation on the Houthis .... In foreign policy shift, Biden lifts terrorist designation for Houthis in Yemen (PBS News).

U.S. Sending Warship And Fighter Jets To Assist UAE From Missile And Drone Attacks By Yemen's Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels  

U.S. sending warship, jets to help protect Arab allies from missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels -- CBS/AFP  

US sending fighter jets, warship to UAE amid Houthi attacks -- The Hill  

US to send fighter jets to assist UAE after Houthi attacks -- Reuters 

US sends warship, jets to UAE as Houthis continue missile attacks -- Arab News  

US to send destroyer, fighter jets to UAE amid Houthi attacks -- Al Jazeera  

US to deploy warship & 5th generation fighter jets to UAE -- RT  

Yemen: US to send warship, fighter jets to UAE after Houthi attacks -- Middle East Eye

President Biden Freezes U.S. Arms Sales To Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. Amid Broader Review

FILE PHOTO © Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Freeman/US Navy/Handout via REUTERS 

Wall Street Journal: Biden Freezes U.S. Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. 

New administration is reviewing weapons transactions earlier approved by Trump 

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, according to U.S. officials. 

The review, the officials said, includes the sale of precision-guided munitions to Riyadh, as well as top-line F-35 fighters to Abu Dhabi, a deal that Washington approved as part of the Abraham Accords, in which the Emirates established diplomatic relations with Israel. 

U.S. officials said it isn’t unusual for a new administration to review arms sales approved by a predecessor, and that despite the pause, many of the transactions are likely to ultimately go forward. 

But in line with campaign pledges made by President Biden, Washington is seeking to ensure that American weapons aren’t used to further the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, where its conflict with the Iranian-aligned Houthis has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and widespread hunger.

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WNU Editor: Will the Biden administration terminate these agreements? In a normal situation I would say no. These deals would be reviewed and then approved. But these are not normal times, and President Biden's open hostility towards Saudi Arabia is well known. IMHO these deals have a very good chance of being cancelled.

 More News On President Biden Freezing U.S. Arms Sales To Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. Amid Broader Review 

US puts hold on foreign arms sales, including F-35s to UAE -- AP 

Biden administration temporarily holds some U.S. weapons exports, official says -- Reuters 

Biden admin hits pause on Trump foreign weapon sales, launches review -- Defense News 

Biden administration pauses arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE -- CNN 

Biden administration pauses UAE, Saudi arms sales amid broader review -- The Hill 

US suspends $23 billion sale of F-35s to UAE that followed Abraham Accords -- Times Of Israel 

Biden administration pauses weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE -- Al Jazeera 

US freezes sales of missiles to Saudi Arabia and F-35s to UAE as it reviews Trump-era arms deals -- RT 

Biden freezes U.S. arms deals with Saudi Arabia and UAE -- Axios

Trump Administration Rushes Through Final Arms Sales

A pair of MQ-9 Reapers from the 46th Expeditionary Attack Squadron are parked on the flightline at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, June 9, 2020. Senior Airman Isaiah J. Soliz (U.S. Air Force)  

CNBC: UAE to get its first Reaper drones, clinches F-35 deal as Trump administration pushes through final arms sales  

* If completed, the sale will be the first American transfer of lethal unmanned aerial systems to any Arab ally, and the UAE would become the first Arab country to get the Lockheed Martin fifth-generation stealth jet, the most advanced fighter aircraft on the market. 

* The sale includes up to 18 MQ-9 Reapers and related equipment for $2.97 billion, and up to 50 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets and accompanying equipment for an estimated $10.4 billion. 

 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates is now the closest it’s ever been to getting choice American weapons it has wanted for several years: lethal drones and F-35 joint strike fighter jets. 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced via Twitter on Tuesday: “Today, the United States notified Congress of proposed UAE purchases of F-35 fighter aircraft, MQ-9B UAS, and munitions worth $23.37 billion to deter and defend against increased threats from Iran following historic Abraham Accords.” 

An anticipated development ever since the UAE officially established diplomatic ties with Israel for the first time in August, the news is seen as a big deal. The sale, if completed, will be the first American transfer of lethal unmanned aerial systems to any Arab ally, and the UAE would become the first Arab country to get the Lockheed Martin fifth-generation stealth jet, the most advanced fighter aircraft on the market.  

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WNU Editor: As arms deals go, this U.S. sale to the UAE is massive .... Trump administration informs Congress of intent to sell $23B in arms to UAE (CNN).

U.S. To Sell $10 Billion Of Defense Equipment To The UAE

 

Reuters: Trump administration advances $10 billion defense sale to UAE, source says 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department sent Congress an informal notification of plans to sell $10 billion of defense equipment, including precision-guided munitions, non-precision bombs and missiles to the United Arab Emirates, a U.S. congressional aide said on Friday. 

The informal notification about the ordnance, which was sent to lawmakers late on Thursday, came just after President Donald Trump’s administration informed Congress it planned to sell sophisticated armed aerial drones to the UAE, news first reported by Reuters. 

The ordnance sale was first reported by CNN. 

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WNU Editor: This arms deal is on top of the massive drone deal that was just announced .... Trump administration moves forward with $2.9 billion drone sale to UAE, source says (CNN).