Cancelling Port Deal Could Mean END of Military Bases In UAE

[kpete]

Cancelling Port Deal Could Mean END of Military Bases In UAE

Found something interesting

StrategyUnit on Wed Feb 22 at 3:04 AM EST
Besides Oil: There Are Military Bases

I find it amazing that the most obvious thing UAE has is being ignored in this thread and by this blog: Military Bases for Force Projection.

Spook86 at "In from the Cold" has already written up on this, so I'll quote the Spook:

"Cancelling the port deal could mean the end of U.S. basing rights in the UAE, strained relations with other regional partners, and the potential loss of a key defense contract, all viewed as critical in fighting the War on Terror. Collectively, those factors probably explain why the deal hasn't already been nixed, and why the Bush Administration may put up a fight-even with political allies. ... Cancellation of the contract would be viewed as an insult to the UAE and its leadership; regional critics would accuse the U.S. of hypocrisy-anxious to utilize UAE bases and sell its defense hardware to the Dubai, but unwilling to let a UAE company manage operations in U.S. ports. Such criticism, in turn, would cause other Gulf allies to question Washington's long-term committment to the region, and make it more difficult for the U.S. to sustain basing rights in such countries as Qatar and Bahrain."

More on US bases in UAE here:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/uae.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/mi...acility/ uae.htm
http://www.theoildrum.com/story/2006/2/21/191151/369#more
VIA:http://www.haloscan.com/comments.php?user=atrios&comment=114061968699778708

[acmavm]

1. Screw the UAE. THEY ARE AMERICAN PORTS. I don't care

if their widdle feelings get hurt. This is the United States of America and seriously, I think only fed or state governments should operate and control port operations. And I think I'd probably be happier with it at the state level than the federal level.

[Mythsaje]

2. I'd agree with you on state control

except that I'm certain they wouldn't get even a fraction of the funding they'd need.

[Skink]

9. I don't get why the were U.S. ports? Were they?

[Coexist]

3. If they do that - they are not really allies - even fair weather ones

sorry - no dice.

[librechik]

4. Those bases on Arab land only inflame the masses

They should not be there.

I suspect some corporate entity made money off that deal. In fact I bet the main reason the base is there is to protect the oil, not improve our strategic strength (except for having some oil)

I feel nauseous.

:puke:

[JCMach1]

11. THERE ARE NO BASES IN THE UAE!

The UAE cooperates on issues of basing should the need arise...


SUCH AS IRAN!

[Mythsaje]

5. Tough cookies...

I've been concerned about the ports for a long time, and this deal doesn't do anything to assuage my fears. It could well be the easiest method for smuggling a WMD into the U.S.

[Burried News]

6. Maybe Cheney was too preccupied by Peppergate to explain

this to Frist and Hastert.
I do think military strategy is the overriding concern of this deal; just as it is in our dealings with Pakistan and Turkey.
Bush has done more to screw up the relationship with our former allies than Bin Laden ever could.
You're doing a great job Condiliar. Truly outstanding. :sarcasm:
Keep it up and our nearest bases for the troops in the middle east will be Puerto Rico.

[tabasco]

7. I'm not too worried about "force projection" into the Middle East.

Especially considering half our army is in Iraq.

I personally look forward to the day that the US no longer considers itself the policeman of the world, which has to be prepared to "project force" anywhere on a moment's notice.

[Just Me]

8. We have a problem with removing bases?

I guess that would interfere with PNACers' plan to control the whole region, huh. :eyes:

This is bullshit and only goes to prove, once again, that,...the BushCo/neoconster regime were ALWAYS prioritizing the expansion of power and profits for multi-national corporacrats over national security or American interests or democracy or any of the other bzillion faux assertions.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ELITIST FAT CATS EXPLOITING THE PEOPLE FOR PROFIT.

[kentuck]

10. Good God ! Then cancel it !

Bring 'em home!