US Needs a 'Coherent' F-35 Policy, The Hill Says
The Hill published an opinion piece arguing the US needs a 'coherent F-35 policy,' lamenting the tangled web of sales to Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The piece highlights a desire for strategic clarity, but conveniently sidesteps the clear, albeit unstated, coherence: profit. Lockheed Martin, the F-35 manufacturer, spent $13.6 million on lobbying in 2023, according to OpenSecrets.org, showering
politicians with cash to ensure their 'coherent' policy favors endless arms sales. That sounds quite coherent to me, just not for human beings. This isn't about global stability; it's about balance sheets. The constant push for more advanced weaponry, always with an eye on 'strategic competitors' or 'allies' (*cough* Saudi Arabia *cough*), ensures a steady flow of taxpayer money to defense
contractors. The same politicians wringing their hands over 'policy incoherence' often vote for these very sales, demonstrating a profound consistency in prioritizing military-industrial gains over actual peace or ethical foreign policy. How many more billions in profit does it take to finally achieve a 'coherent' strategy?