The New Arab Hypes 'Rivalry' as US Allies Arm Up in the Gulf
📰 THE STORY: The New Arab reports that the UAE is deepening military ties with India, signing major gas, defense, and investment deals. This is presented as a response to 'Saudi rivalry heating up,' suggesting an intra-regional power struggle is driving the arms buildup and strategic partnerships, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, while downplaying external influences. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT
TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The US has been the primary arms supplier to both the UAE and Saudi Arabia for decades, fueling regional arms races. For instance, the US approved over $23 billion in arms sales to the UAE in 2020 alone, including F-35 fighter jets and Reaper drones. The current 'deepening ties' with India, a key US ally in the Indo-Pacific, is not an isolated event but rather part
of a broader US-led strategy to counter China's influence and stabilize petro-dollar states that cooperate with US foreign policy. Double Standard: When China expands its military reach or forms alliances, Western media often labels it as 'aggressive expansionism' or 'debt diplomacy.' Yet, when US allies like India and the UAE form a military bloc and purchase billions in Western arms, it's framed
as legitimate 'deepening ties' or rational responses to 'regional rivalries.' The narrative sanitizes the role of external powers in driving this militarization. Follow the Money: Beyond gas and investment, the true beneficiaries are the global arms manufacturers and their lobbyists. The deals discussed, though framed broadly, invariably include military procurement. US defense contractors like