The Trump administration announced on July 24 that it would bypass Congress in order to approve the sale of large armed drones, which has long been of interest to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The decision also bypasses the Missile Technology Control Regime, an international agreement formed in 1987 between 35 member states that has been credited with slowing weapons proliferation. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are expected to be among the first buyers of the drones despite considerable Congressional resistance to U.S. arms exports to the two countries, both of which are accused of human rights violations and causing civilian deaths in the war in Yemen. The move also threatens to undermine the Missile Technology Control Regime’s non-proliferation power, which has been limiting global exports of missile technology to Iran. Source: NYT
Pres. Trump Bypasses Congress and an Arms Control Pact to Sell Armed Drones, Likely to Saudi Arabia and UAE
Issue:
Country: