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US Bypasses Congress to Approve $8.6 Billion Arms Sales to Middle East Allies
The US has bypassed congressional review to approve $8.6 billion in arms sales to Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, citing emergency conditions amid regional conflict.
ND
by News Desk
2026-05-02
US Bypasses Congress to Approve $8.6 Billion Arms Sales to Middle East Allies

The United States has moved forward with a major defense deal worth over $8.6 billion in military sales to key Middle Eastern allies, bypassing the usual congressional review process by declaring an emergency.

According to official reports, the Trump administration approved the arms packages for Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, stating that urgent regional security conditions required immediate action. The decision was authorized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who determined that delaying the sales could impact ongoing military and defense needs in the region.

The approved deals include missile defense systems, precision-guided weapons, and integrated command systems. Major defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems are involved in supplying the equipment.

The move comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, including ongoing conflicts linked to Iran, prompting the US to accelerate military support to its strategic partners. However, the decision has also raised renewed debate over the use of emergency powers to bypass congressional oversight in large-scale arms transactions.

Critics argue that such actions reduce transparency and limit legislative scrutiny, while supporters say they are necessary to respond quickly to fast-changing security threats.
Tagged:

#USPolitics #ArmsDeal #MiddleEast #Israel #Qatar #Kuwait #UAE #DefenseNews #BreakingNews #WorldNews #MilitarySales #Congress #MarcoRubio
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