Hillary Clinton’s State Department Armed Saudi Arabia to the Teeth

[Triana]

(Yea I know we're not supposed to post uncomfortable facts about Hillary Clinton here because she's the nominee and all but...I guess the post can be hidden...and this forum is going to be blown to smithereens (no pun intended) soon anyway).

By Medea Benjamin and Rebecca Green, March 8, 2016

While Saudi Arabia and Boeing poured cash into the Clinton Foundation, Hillary Clinton's State Department approved enormous sales of Boeing fighter jets to the kingdom.

As Hillary Clinton emerges as the front-runner for the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, she’s receiving increased scrutiny for her years as secretary of state — and in particular her hawkish foreign policy. Many critics are focusing especially on her long relationship with Saudi Arabia.

On Christmas Eve in 2011, Hillary Clinton and her closest aides celebrated a $29.4 billion sale of over 80 F-15 fighter jets, manufactured by U.S.-based Boeing Corporation, to Saudi Arabia. In a chain of enthusiastic emails, an aide exclaimed that it was “not a bad Christmas present.”

These are the very fighter jets the Saudis have been using to bomb Yemen since March 2015. A year later, at least 2,800 Yemeni civilians have been killed, mostly by airstrikes — and there’s no end in sight.

The indiscriminate Saudi strikes have killed journalists and ambulance drivers. They’ve hit the Chamber of Commerce, facilities supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (also known as Doctors Without Borders), a wedding hall, and a center for the blind. The attacks have also targeted ancient heritage sites in Yemen. International human rights organizations are saying that the Saudi-led strikes on Yemen may amount to war crimes.

During her tenure as secretary of state, Clinton made weapons transfers to the Saudi government a “top priority,” according to a new report published in The Intercept. And even while Clinton’s State Department was deeply invested in getting weapons to Saudi Arabia, the Clinton Foundation accepted millions of dollars in donations from both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the weapons manufacturer Boeing. Christmas presents were being gifted all around.

THE REST:

http://fpif.org/hillary-clintons-state-department-armed-saudi-arabia-teeth/

[tonyt53]

1. Get one thing straight - Hillary Clinton did not own the State Dept.

The Secretary of State does exactly what the President tells them to do. Nothing more, nothing less. If they do, then they are replaced - just like Colin Powell was. So, you need to change the title to "President Obama sold arms to Saudi Arabia while Hillary Clinton was the Secretary of State. Your original title is an outright fabrication and somethong that a FoxNews report would be made of.

[think]

2. Who ran the State Dept? Who gave the decision to Obama? Was Hillary just a figure head?

[all american girl]

42. Hate to tell you, but that's part of State's job.

and we have been selling weapons to the Saudi's forever. Why when it's Hillary it's a problem, anyone else...who cares?

[Exilednight]

67. SoS job, hate to tell you, is to advise and inform the President.

I'm sure she had some role in this. To think otherwise is naive.

[all american girl]

68. Sorry, I know someone who that was their job...they are in the miliatry and worked

worked with state to make sure this stuff happened. If you have no idea what state does, that is not my problem, but I now how this goes.

[Exilednight]

69. I've actually worked at State, along with my father who reported

Directly to the SoS. I've actually sat in on teleconferences with the then POTUS, whose last name also happens to be Clinton.

I know exactly how it all works.

[brush]

51. This is news? Try every other State Department before Clinton's

And Israel too has bee armed by every other State Department before Clinton's.

Nothing to say about that?

[tk2kewl]

3. "The Secretary of State does exactly what the President tells them to do"

Like not involving Sid Blumenthal in DOS biz?

Hillary never seems to be responsible for anything she does... who's gonna take the blame if she's POTUS?

[peace13]

56. X1000

[HooptieWagon]

4. Then why did SA 'donate' to Clinton Foundation?

[bahrbearian]

6. Because its a Charity,,,,Oh, and Cluster Bombs.

[swhisper1]

30. a charity

[La Lioness Priyanka]

8. Did Saudis only access weapons after their donation?

Or have Saudis been sold weapons much before the formation of the Clinton foundation

[okasha]

18. The US has been selling weapons

to the Kingdom, to Jordan and Oman for decades, for at least two reasons--

1. They've been allies against Iraq, Syria and Iran.
2. The arms sales keep the oil flowing.

This started long before Bill Clinton's Presidency, much less the Clinton Foundation.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

20. That was my point.

[okasha]

22. Understood.

I was just elaborating on it a bit.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

24. I appreciate that. I was too lazy to do it!

[stevenleser]

45. Yep, see my #43 and #44 below. Nt

[swhisper1]

31. before the Foundation, we had a base there, no need to sell them anything, we were fighting their

battle with Iraq, another reason why we went there, the Bushes were in bed with the Saudis for years

[La Lioness Priyanka]

37. Lol. Yeah let's pretend that our relationship with Saudi Arabia only starts with the Clinton

Foundation. You guys are so far removed from any fact based arguments

[swhisper1]

38. I did not say that. The US sells arms to both sides in every war

[stevenleser]

46. Yep, see my #43 and #44 below. Nt

[swhisper1]

33. not at a discount, and limited, then they got all they want cheap (for Saudis)

[leveymg]

9. HRC was also replaced, as was Petraeus with emphasis.

I'm not entirely convinced that Obama's 2011 findings encompassed the full spectrum of covert activities actually carried out, particularly the pipeline of sophisticated weapons and Jihadists that was coordinated through the Qataris from Libya to Syria. The death of Amb. Stevens brought those operations into stark and unwanted relief.

[swhisper1]

32. HRC was allowed to quit after blowing up the mid east

[leveymg]

40. She may still pay a steep price for exceeding her mandate.

We will see what is allowed to happen after Comey releases his report.

[Major Hogwash]

41. It won't matter by then.

The AG already stated that she will take more than a month -- or two -- before making her decision.

By then, it will be too late.

[brush]

52. Benghazi! Benghazi! Benghazi!

[leveymg]

59. Dogma! Dogma! Dogma!

Not a single original thought.

[brush]

61. Original thought not needed when the best reponse to you bringing up Benghazi again is . . .

Benghazi! Benghazi! Benghazi!

God! If it's not the email faux scandal, it's the Benghazi faux scandal (btw, google how many embassy attacks happened under Bush and how many died and maybe you'll understand my response a little more).

And when are you going to stop carrying water for the repugs?

[leveymg]

63. You can try to screen your thoughts through simplistic slogans if you want, but I'm not joining you

You'd like to dumb down DU. To some degree, you've succeeded just by being here.

Denial! Denial! Denial! doesn't make it true.

When are you going to stop beating beating your dog?

[brush]

64. I see you didn't research how many embassy attack there were under Bush . . .

without nary a whisper from the repugs, or you, but you try to revive the dead horse Benghazi again on a progressive site. God, when do repug talking points stop?

Here's a link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/13-benghazis-that-occurre_b_3246847.html

[leveymg]

65. What you call Benghazi!!! isn't my obsession. It's yours.

I'll do my own research. You do yours.

[tammywammy]

23. The State Department reviews foreign military sales

They review export licenses, that the deal complies with the International Traffic in Arms Regulation, and that it fits with the foreign policy of the current Administration. A deal this big would have taken years from initial contact to contract award. Years.

The State Department also promotes US business abroad.

Saudia Arabia is an ally of the US. Boeing is a US company.

If anyone wants to learn more about FMS deals they can go here: http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rsat/c14021.htm?goMobile=0

[Silver_Witch]

27. Then her Secretary of State gig was meaningless?

And gives her no credit for being a "leader"?

Just clarifying...

[swhisper1]

39. yes, she did nothing worthwhile

[MrMickeysMom]

48. OH... So, NOW, she wasn't in charge of this important post in line of the presidency?

Uh-huh...

[jzodda]

5. I have zero issues selling arms to the Saudis

If not from us they would buy it from elsewhere anyway.

Its fiction though to say HRC is responsible for this stuff. They have been buying arms from us since she was a young woman.

[Triana]

12. "They have been buying arms from us since she was a young woman"

True. Since the days of Ronnie RayGun at least.

[2cannan]

13. Did you miss the part about the Clinton Foundation? nt

[jzodda]

15. I hope they give lots more to the Clinton foundation

Since it does good work around the world.

My friend from Nigeria told me the Clinton foundation cleaned up a toxic site and sent a doctor to the area to access the long term health risks. After the doctor was done she stayed extra to help people with routine medical issues.

You will Never ever get me to believe that the foundation is not a force for good.

[CorkySt.Clair]

17. Thank you for standing up to their bitter slurs.

[jzodda]

19. Thanks

I don't like seeing right wing attacks on DU coming from fellow progressives. I can listen to Mark Levin if I want to hear attacks on Dems.

[okasha]

21. They have several programs in East Africs

aimed at stopping the murder of elephants. (Those are especially dear to my heart.). Others include empowering third world women by supporting the formation of women-owned small businesses, the formation of small-farm collectives as an alternative to large-scale agribusiness, and programs to provide life-extending medication to HIV/AIDS patients at low to no cost.

[swhisper1]

34. yeah, a whole 10% actually goes to charity

[all american girl]

47. You might want to do more research and not listen to RW crap,

because that's what they say and it's completely false.

[jzodda]

58. and where did you read that? Breitbart?

n/t

[TwilightZone]

70. False

http://www.factcheck.org/2015/06/where-does-clinton-foundation-money-go/

[Herman4747]

28. If I don't sell this young child cocaine...

...he'll just buy it somewhere else.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

7. Incredibly dumb post

Hillary Clinton does not own the state department, this is a direct attack on Obama, who also couldn't have randomly ditched a supposed ally. That is not how international relations work. This is just a stupid attack on democrats and a fundamental lack of international relations.

[Herman4747]

29. strong emphasis on that word "supposed" n/t

[Kentonio]

53. Any and every administration that supports Saudi Arabia deserves to be criticized

And in the strongest possible terms. That country is spending its vast wealth on spreading extremist Wahhabism around the world, oppressing its people horribly and exerting influence in many negative ways. Horrible theocratic regime.

[brooklynite]

10. tick, tick, tick...

[MrMickeysMom]

49. Example of vitriol

Nicely done... I know you had at least THIS early education.

[geek tragedy]

11. medea benjamin, lol, tick tock tick tock nt

[oasis]

14. Medea Benjamin needs to get her head out of the sand. ISIS

is also a threat to the Saudis.

[MrMickeysMom]

50. Yes.... Let's hope that people who stand up to military imperialism go away...

While you light the candle for ... what? Only some of the oppressed?

Do you even know who Medea Benjamin is?

[Dem2]

16. What???

Blame Hillary for one of the sign-offs that had to happen on something that wasn't initiated by her? That's nuts.

[bhikkhu]

25. We've been selling them most anything they want for at least 50 years

...I don't see how one secretary of state or other was responsible, or could have put his or her foot down and put a stop to it.

I'm generally in favor of the middle eastern nations policing themselves, and Yemen is basically a failed state full of terrorists on the Saudi border. Not that they are doing it right, but I can't say we would do better. Ideally we'd convict them all of war crimes and replace the government, then do the same in other troubled countries, and establish regional peace. Idealism doesn't work very well.

In any case, the global arms market is a global arms market; they can spend their money anywhere they chose.

[Kentonio]

54. Funny how we now write off countries fighting for their freedom as 'failed states'

And seemingly have no problem bombing the shit out of them. Kind of a good thing the world didn't take the same attitude during the Revolutionary War isn't it?

[arcane1]

26. Kissing Saudi ass is an American tradition Clinton will be happy to continue

No matter how they treat women, gays, and non-Muslims, their money is oh so sweet. She will savor every cent.

[UMTerp01]

35. Well....they ARE our "allies"...more like frenemies

You do realize that if we piss off the Saudi gov't too much they will take their investments out of the US and literally make us a 3rd world country. But keep talking out of your ass and not share the whole story. Us being in bed with the Saudis happened LONG before Hillary was State Dept head, and long before Bill's presidency. Not saying its right but since DU has the geniuses, what is your solution?

[Kentonio]

55. You wildly overestimate the power of the Saudis.

3rd world country my ass.

[oberliner]

36. Medea Benjamin

Good lord.

[stevenleser]

43. As did Carter who sold them, among other things, sixty F-15s back in the 1970s

The F-15 was the dominant fighter for decades. This sale was a game changer.

The US has been supplying a ton of arms to the Saudis going back at least 40 years. It's been policy that they are one of our allies in the region.

[stevenleser]

44. And it was Lyndon Johnson who came up with the idea of the Saudis being allies

It was Johnson whose administration came up with the idea of selling arms to the Saudis and building the huge base at Diego Garcia to facilitate military cooperation with them.

So his policy goes back 50 years and three previous Democratic Presidents including the architect of the Great Society.

[Doctor_J]

57. You wouldn't complain if a MAN sold weapons to a terrorist government

[Sancho]

60. Troll bait from last March. Hillary is our nominee. Time to stop the bash and trash OPs.

Anyone with any sense knows that the President and Congress provide arms - not foundations. The SoS doesn't have a military budget. Every time that arms sales are not approved - then the government catches hell because it costs the US jobs.

Bernie almost always voted in favor of all these MIC deals!! That's where the money and arms originates.

Meanwhile, if my pet schnauzer was the SoS, you would say she "made weapons transfers". That's the job that you do at the discretion of the President and Congress.

[Florencenj2point0]

62. It is the 16th, I don't think you should be campaigning against the Democratic candidate

for President of the USA. BTW Media Benjamin is a jerk.

[2banon]

66. Triana, I understand the point, but it's really every single Administration since forever

This is part of the problem with our miopics wrt to Neo-Liberal policies vs Neo-Conservative policies..

When it comes to Foreign Policy: There's is no daylight between the two parties.

That is the nut of it... right there.

Both Obama and HRC are Neo-Liberals, but significant daylight does exist between the two. For instance, given HRC's public Hawkish remarks on the Iran situation she would not have supported the work Kerry has done vis a vis Obama's direction.Her policies on the M.E. as we all know are more in line with PNAC.

But as regards funding S.A., along with the Swiss Cheese of the M.E. it's the status quo dating back since forever, continuity of governance they prefer to call it.