Recent stories from sustg

  • Trump Administration Taking ‘More Saudi-Friendly Approach to the Conflict in Yemen’
     

    The U.S. State Department’s approval of a resumption of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia that would reverse a decision by President Obama is “a potential sign of reinvigorated U.S. support for the kingdom’s involvement in its neighbor’s ongoing civil war,” the Washington Post reports. President Trump must approve the reversal, which was ordered by Secretary of […]

     
  • Secretary of State Tillerson Calls Saudi King Salman, Applauds Saudi Role in Regional Stability
     

    U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Saudi Arabia’s King Salman by phone yesterday, and commended the Kingdom on its role in “promoting stability across the region,” the SPA reports. Tillerson also “stressed on the importance of working with the Kingdom, developing a comprehensive plan to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation both military and counter-terrorism […]

     
  • Trump Turns Up Rhetoric, Threats Toward Iran
     

    The Trump administration says it is putting Iran “on notice” following two incidents in the region in the past week, including an attack on a Saudi navy ship by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The comments came from President Trump on Twitter as he blasted the agreement to disarm Iran’s nuclear program. “Iran was on its last legs […]

     
  • First Jets from Record-Setting U.S.-Saudi Military Sale Delivered, Showcased in Riyadh
     

    Saudi Arabia showcased its newest F-15SA fighter jet at an airshow in Riyadh on Wednesday, in a demonstration that the Kingdom has begun receiving items purchased six years ago in the most expensive U.S. arms sale to a foreign country, Reuters reports. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman commissioned the F15-SA fighter aircraft during […]

     
  • U.S to Transfer Four Gitmo Detainees to Saudi Arabia
     

    The United States will transfer four detainees to Saudi Arabia from the Guantanamo Bay military prison in the next 24 hours, according to reports. President Barack Obama is making a final push to reduce the number of inmates at the prison, despite pressure from president-elect Donald Trump to halt such releases. According to Reuters, the release “will […]

     
  • Major U.S. $7.9 Billion Weapon Sales Plans Include $3.51b in Chinooks to Saudi Arabia
     

    The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved five notifications of weapon sales to Congress, including 48 Chinook Cargo Helicopters for Saudi Arabia, Apache helicopters for the United Arab Emirates and TOW missiles for Morocco, according to reports. The estimated cost for the Saudi purchase is $3.51 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required […]

     
  • 72-Hour Ceasefire in Yemen Set for Wednesday Night
     

    The United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen announced a 72-hour cease-fire to begin Wednesday night, after he received commitments from all of the country’s warring factions, according to reports. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said the cessation of hostilities will begin at 8:59 p.m. UTC Wednesday and could be renewed after the initial three-day period. Twice […]

     
  • U.S. Responds to Missile Strikes from Yemen, Destroys 3 Radar Sites
     

    The U.S. military struck three radar sites in Houthi-controlled territory on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, the Pentagon said in a statement.  The strikes were aimed at preventing future missiles from being launched toward U.S. warships. “These limited self-defense strikes were conducted to protect our personnel, our ships, and our freedom of navigation in this important […]

     
  • Deadly Coalition Missile Attack on Funeral in Yemen Draws International Condemnation, Prompts U.S. Review of Support
     

    The ongoing conflict in Yemen was further inflamed this weekend after a missile attack on a funeral hall killed over 160 civilians, sparking outrage across the war-torn country. Yemeni officials and witnesses are blaming the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen for the attack, which threatens to significantly alter the war’s course. The coalition initially denied […]

     
  • Senate Votes Down Proposal to Block U.S. Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia
     

    The Senate on Wednesday rejected a bipartisan proposal to block a pending $1.15 billion United States arms sale to Saudi Arabia by a vote of 71-27. The Senate action comes as Congress is considering whether to override an expected presidential veto of the so-called JASTA bill, allowing 9/11 victims’ families to sue the Saudi government. The proposed […]

     

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