Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is opposing President Trump on arms sales to the Islamic nations of Bahrain and Qatar, and will force a vote next week in the Senate to block deals with these Muslim-dominated nations that are known to harbor terrorism.
The Senate will vote on whether or not to move Paul’s resolutions expressing disapproval with the deals out of the Foreign Relations Committee. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is anticipated to schedule the vote on June 13.
The Trump administration informed Congress recently that they would be selling missile systems and other equipment to Bahrain for a cool $2.47 billion. An additional sale worth $750 million was proposed to bolster Bahrain’s air fleet as well.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally which is an important security partner in the region. Our mutual defense interests anchor our relationship and the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) plays a significant role in Bahrain’s defense,” the administration said as the basis for the arms sale.
The administration also announced their intentions to sell $3 billion worth of apache attack helicopters and similar equipment to Qatar.
Paul does not support the Bahrain deal because of their support of Saudi Arabian war crimes in Yemen, which is arguably the world’s worst humanitarian disaster that shows no signs of stopping. It is fueled by U.S. bombs and ammunition.
“I rise today to call for an end to the U.S. involvement in the war in Yemen,” Paul said while giving an address on the Senate floor. “Your tax dollars are supporting this war, so I think there ought to be a debate. So that’s what I stand up today to do, is to force a debate on whether or not we should be involved with aiding and abetting the Saudi coalition in this war in Yemen.”
The nation of Qatar supports the Al-Jazeera network that regularly promotes anti-Semitic and anti-American viewpoints. They also are a modern-day slave state, tricking migrants into coming into the country then forcing them to work in brutal conditions with no ability to leave. They have also reportedly funded Hamas and extremist rebel groups operating in Syria.
Paul continues to battle admirably, albeit against the odds, against the military-industrial complex and U.S. empire that contributes to global turmoil the world over.
