US Sells F-35s to MBS, Overlooking Khashoggi—Again
The US government, under various administrations, has consistently prioritized military-industrial profits over human rights concerns, especially with Saudi Arabia. This isn't a Trump-era anomaly; it's systemic. Just last year, Democrats and Republicans in Congress pushed through arms sales to Riyadh, even as reports detailed Saudi involvement in the devastating Yemen conflict. The congressional
vote on a resolution to block a $650 million arms sale in December 2023 saw 67 senators vote against blocking it, including many recipients of defense industry donations and pro-Saudi lobby cash. Money talks louder than journalistic integrity reports, apparently. So, while the BBC frames this as a new development following Khashoggi's murder, the pattern is clear: a brief outcry, followed by
business as usual. The crown prince gets his advanced jets, Washington gets its military contracts, and the human cost? Well, that's just collateral damage in the 'rules-based international order'—an order where rules are selectively applied based on who's buying.